"I'm Happy for You (Sort of..Not Really)" Review & GIVEAWAY! (12/9) #HydrateForTheHolidays #FLYBY

*Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

About the book:

Our cultural obsession with comparison is undercutting relationships and sapping contentment. With disarming candor and humor, Kay Wills Wyma explores how to trade comparison for compassion and rediscover what life is all about.

It’s easy to get caught in the comparison games we play with our appearances, our kids, and our homes. Kay reminds exhausted families about tried and true remedies from the pressures of competitive living.

In her warm, relatable style, Kay confronts the comparison epidemic raging in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our social-media feeds, offering remedies along the way.

With candor and humor, I’m Happy For You (Sort Of…Not Really) explores the troubling effects of living in an excessively competitive culture—and reveals simple yet effective ways to escape the comparison trap.

About the Author:

Kay Wills Wyma is a blogger, mother of five, and the author of Cleaning House through which she has appeared on The TODAY Show, CNN, Glenn Beck, The New York Times, Focus on the Family, and more. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, she held positions at the White House, the Staubach Company, and Bank of America. Kay lives in the Dallas area with her husband, Jon, and their family.

SOCIAL • CORNER

OFFICIAL WEBSITE - keep up with the #HydrateForTheHolidays topics here & see interviews, etc

FACEBOOK 

TWITTER

AMAZON 

My Review:

When this book was offered as a review, I knew it was one that I could benefit from reading.  I have a tendency to compare myself with others constantly, instead of being content with who God made me to be.  As I'm reading I'm Happy for You I'm finding that the author hits on all the areas that I struggle with and provides ideas and insights of her own and from others.

My favorite piece of advice the author, Kay, gives is to say "I'm happy for you", to those you're comparing yourself to.  An example in my life might be when I see someone on Facebook doing some wonderful project with their kids.  I start thinking that it's something I should be doing more of and feel bad that I haven't been.  The problem is I'm putting the focus on ME instead of on them and I should let them know what an awesome idea their project was...in essence, tell them I'm happy for them!  Such a simple thing, but it makes a world of difference!  I notice that I feel a weight lifted and I'm truly happy for them!

While I haven't quite finished the book yet, I'm truly enjoying reading it!  Kay not only offers awesome advice, but makes you laugh along the way.  I'm Happy for You (Sort of...Not Really) is a great book that I highly recommend!

Buy It!

I'm Happy For You (Sort of..Not Really) is available for purchase in paperback currently for $10.77 on amazon.com.  The Kindle version is also available for $9.99.

GIVEAWAY!

Congrats to comment #6, Debby@JustBreathe!

One lucky reader is going to win a copy of I'm Happy For You (Sort of..Not Really)!

To enter to win leave a comment below. Please be sure to leave your e-mail address with the comment, so I can contact you if you're the winner.

 If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. 

Extra Entries: (1 extra entry per method. Leave a comment for each.)

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*Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which post.

Open to U.S. residents 18 years and older. Giveaway will end December 9th, 2015 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be chosen shortly after and contacted via e-mail. The winner will have 48 hours to respond otherwise I will have to choose a new winner.

"When Calls the Heart" Season 2 Box Set Collector's Edition Review!

*Disclosure:  I was provided the following material to use as a giveaway.  I was not compensated in any way.  All opinions are my own.

About the When Calls the Heart Season 2 Box Set:

From celebrated author Janette Oke (The Love Comes Softly series) comes a rigorous and romantic
 adventure as epic as the wide frontier. Erin Krakow (Army Wives), Daniel Lissing (Eye Candy), 
Jack Wagner (Melrose Place) and Lori Loughlin (Full House, 90210) star in When Calls The Heart,
 "a beautiful story with roots in relationships, self-empowerment, and the enduring power of love"
 (Common Sense Media).

Elizabeth Thatcher (Krakow) is a strong-willed teacher who has foregone the life of the big city and 
found a job, a home - and a bit of unexpected romance with a handsome Mountie named Jack - in 
the small frontier town of Hope Valley. But life on the frontier can hand you many tough turns, and 
so it is for Jack and Elizabeth as they face their very different upbringings, the pressures put upon 
them by family, rival suitors and even various criminal counterfeiters and kidnappers in their quest 
to find their place in this remote and rugged land.

10 DVD Collector's Edition includes
Season 2 - 10 DVD Collector's Edition includes the following:

Disc 1: Trials of the Heart (Movie Version)
Disc 2: Heart and Soul (Movie Version)
Disc 3: Heart of the Family (Movie Version)
Disc 4: Heart and Home (Movie Version)
Disc 5: Follow your Heart (Movie Version)
Disc 6: Episodes as aired on the Hallmark Channel
Disc 7: Episodes as aired on the Hallmark Channel
Disc 8: Episodes as aired on the Hallmark Channel
Disc 9: Special Features Disc
Disc 10: Instrumental CD 

My Review:
I've already reviewed the first 5 discs of this set.  If you'd like to read them, please click on the
 following links:
Trials of the Heart
Heart and Soul
Heart of the Family
Heart and Home
Follow Your Heart

I think it's neat that this set also includes the episodes as they aired on the Hallmark Channel on top
 of the movie version!  My family doesn't have the opportunity to view them that way, as we don't
 have cable/etc.  It's always fun to see the Special Features as well, especially since my family can't
 seem to get enough of When Calls the Heart.  And to top of the Box set, there is an Instrumental 
CD so we can listen to some of the show's music when we're in the mood. ;-)

This set would make an awesome Christmas gift for any When Calls the Heart, or 'Hearties' lovers
 in your life! :-)

Buy It!
The When Calls the Heart Season 2 Box Set Collector's Edition can be purchased on amazon.com
for $49.99!!

Chris Tomlin "Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship" CD Review & GIVEAWAY (11/29) #FlyBy #Adore

*Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

About Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship:

This new Christmas album released on October 23, 2015.  It features classic Christmas songs with a mix of original Christmas songs.  There are special guest performances from Lauren Daigle, All Sons & Daughters, Crowder, and more on this album.   

Songs:

1. He Shall Reign Forevermore

2. Adore

3. Midnight Clear (Love Song)

4. Noel featuring Lauren Daigle 

5. Hymn Of Joy 

6. Silent Night featuring Kristyn Getty 

7. What Child Is This? featuring Sons & Daughters 

8. It's Christmas

9. A King Like This

10. Bethlehem

11. A Christmas Alleluia featuring Lauren Daigle & Leslie Jordan of All Sons & Daughters 

About Chris Tomlin:
Chris Tomlin is an American contemporary Christian music artist, worship leader, and songwriter who has sold nearly 30 million records.  Some of his most well-known songs are "How Great is Our God", "Jesus Messiah", "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)", "Our God" and "Whom Shall I Fear".  His 2013 album Burning Lights debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, only the fourth Christian album ever to open at No. 1.  Throughout his career, Chris has been nominated for 32 Dove Awards (6 of them collaborative efforts) and he has won 19 of them.

Social Media Links

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

FACEBOOK 

TWITTER 

INSTAGRAM

YOUTUBE

My Review:

I love listening to Chris Tomlin's music!  It's just relaxing and easy to listen to and this Christmas album, Adore, is no exception.  Between loving Christmas music and listening to Chris Tomlin's music, I think this CD is wonderful!

I want to mention that the songs were recorded with a live audience, so there is cheering after the songs are done.  Being that it's worship music I believe it's the audience that can be heard singing along as well.  I think it adds to the album and makes it even more enjoyable hearing others enjoy the music! :-)

I highly recommend grabbing a copy of Chris Tomlin's Adore CD this Christmas.  It'll be a wonderful addition to your Christmas music collection!

Buy It!: 

To buy the digital download of the Adore CD, please visit this link to iTunes.  The whole album is available for $9.99 or $1.29 per song.

GIVEAWAY!

One lucky reader is going to win a copy of Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship!

To enter to win leave a comment below. Please be sure to leave your e-mail address with the comment, so I can contact you if you're the winner.

 If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. 

Extra Entries: (1 extra entry per method. Leave a comment for each.)

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*Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which post.

Open to U.S. residents 18 years and older. Giveaway will end November 29th, 2015 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be chosen shortly after and contacted via e-mail. The winner will have 48 hours to respond otherwise I will have to choose a new winner.

MercyMe It's Christmas CD Review & GIVEAWAY (11/22) #FLYBY

*Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

About MercyMe, It's Christmas CD:
Mercy Me It’s Christmas​ CD will be available in Pizza Ranch locations beginning November 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015.  It has 4 exclusive songs that can only be found on the CD version being sold by Pizza Ranch.  Each CD will be sold for $5 plus tax.  Pizza Ranch will give away the CD with a $25 gift card purchase as well as sell the full album at each of its 200 locations throughout the Midwest and Great Plains states.  "We are so excited to debut our new Christmas album, MercyMe, It’s Christmas, with Pizza Ranch” said Bart Millard with MercyMe. “Pizza Ranch is a fantastic restaurant with a great mission to glorify God. It's the perfect gift to give this Christmas season and the perfect CD to get you in the Christmas spirit.”

Songs:

1. Newborn

2. Christmastime Again

3. Sleigh Ride

4. I’ll Be Home For Christmas

5. Hold On Christmas

6. A Holly Jolly Christmas

7. Go Tell It On The Mountain

8. Do You Hear What I Hear

9. Our Lullaby

10. Joy

11. O Come, O Come 

12. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Exclusive Bonus Track for Pizza Ranch)

13. O Holy Night (Exclusive Bonus Track for Pizza Ranch)

14. Silent Night (Exclusive Bonus Track for Pizza Ranch)

15. Joseph’s Lullaby (Exclusive Bonus Track for Pizza Ranch)

My Review:

I love listening to Christmas music and could probably listen to it year-round if the rest of my family would let me.  MercyMe has many of the traditional Christmas songs that I love to listen to on their "It's Christmas" album.  Their original songs also fit in very well with the traditional Christmas songs with a great mixture of upbeat and sweet and slow. The sound of MercyMe's music is catchy and truly a joy to listen, and sing along, to...of course being able to sing along is very important! ;-)

Be sure to stop be Pizza Ranch to pick up your copy of MercyMe's It's Christmas CD so you don't miss out on the 4 bonus songs!

GIVEAWAY!

Congratulations to comment #7, Anonymous! 

One lucky reader is going to win the MercyMe It's Christmas CD!

To enter to win leave a comment below. Please be sure to leave your e-mail address with the comment, so I can contact you if you're the winner.

 If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. 

Extra Entries: (1 extra entry per method. Leave a comment for each.)

*Subscribe to my blog in the upper left hand corner.

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*Tweet this giveaway and leave the URL in your comment
*Follow me on Pinterest
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*Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which post.

Open to U.S. residents 18 years and older. Giveaway will end Sunday, November 22nd, 2015 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be chosen shortly after and contacted via e-mail. The winner will have 48 hours to respond otherwise I will have to choose a new winner.

"Faith of Our Fathers" DVD Review & GIVEAWAY! (11/15 ) #FLYBY #FAITHOFOURFATHERS

*Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

About the movie:

John Paul and Wayne are two young men in search of their fathers.  Problem is...their fathers have been dead for 25 years.  Eddie and Steven are two young men in search of their sons...whom they've never met.  In 1969, Eddie and Steven are with their squad deep in the jungle of Vietnam on a five-day mission to retrieve fallen comrades.  They write letters to their wives, often mentioning their love for their sons, one, who is an infant and one yet to be born.  In 1994, John Paul and Wayne go on a five day road trip to the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC to see their fathers' names.  Along the way, reading those letters, they begin to get an understanding of who their fathers were and how they died.  Trials and mishaps, both funny and sad, complicate the road trip for the boys.  The horrors of war and the testing of faith manifest themselves for the young men in Vietnam.  Ultimately, in parallel stories - 25 years apart - the fathers and sons are bound together forever.  

Runtime: 96 minutes

Genre: Drama

Rating: PG-13 (for brief war violence)

Starring: Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Downes, David A.R. White, Rebecca St. James, Si Robertson, Candace Cameron Bure, Scott Whyte, and Sean McGowan.

Special Features of the DVD:

-The Heart of Faith of Our Fathers

-Honoring Father's Day

-Commemorating Memorial Day

-Si Robertson Interview

-Stephen Baldwin Interview

To learn more, check out the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

SHARE ABOUT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING THAT'S IN YOUR PRAYERS TODAY!

Check out the trailer!

My Review:

Faith of Our Fathers is an movie that can be enjoyed by those who like several genres of movies.  It's part comedy, part drama, part war movie and yet all about faith.  I found myself laughing on several occasions as the sons went through some pretty silly mishaps on their road trip, yet was anxious during the fathers' wartime predicaments.  I liked how the humor eased the tension as the story went back and forth between 1969 and 1994.  Throughout Faith of Our Fathers, God's love and mercy slowly emerges for both father and son 25 years apart.

I highly recommend watching Faith of Our Fathers!  A great movie to see with Veterans Day quickly approaching. :-)

Buy it!

Check out where Faith of Our Fathers can be purchased on the movie's website.  Wal-Mart currently has it for $9.02!

GIVEAWAY!

Congrats to the winner, Ken Ohl!

One lucky reader is going to win a copy of Faith of our Fathers!

To enter to win leave a comment below. Please be sure to leave your e-mail address with the comment, so I can contact you if you're the winner.

 If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. 

Extra Entries: (1 extra entry per method. Leave a comment for each.)

*Subscribe to my blog in the upper left hand corner.

*Follow me through Google Friend Connect
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*Tweet this giveaway and leave the URL in your comment
*Follow me on Pinterest
*Pin an image from this post to one of your boards
*Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which post.

Open to U.S. residents 18 years and older. Giveaway will end Wednesday, November 15th, 2015 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be chosen shortly after and contacted via e-mail. The winner will have 48 hours to respond otherwise I will have to choose a new winner.

"NIV Bible for Teen Girls: Growing In Faith. Hope. Love" Review & GIVEAWAY! (11/8) #NIVBibleforTeenGirls #FlyBy

*Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

About NIV Bible for Teen Girls: Growing In Faith. Hope. Love:

Today's teen girl needs reassurance that no issue is too big for God.  The NIV Bible for Teen Girls, designed specifically for girls ages 13 to 18, will do just that.  This Bible is packed with daily readings, highlighted promises of God, challenging insights, smart advice, and open discussions about the realities of life.  This Bible is designed to help teen girls grow in faith, hope, and love.  It is as sincere about a teen girl's walk with God as they are, helping them discover his will for all areas of their life, including relating to their family, dealing with friends, work, sports, guys, and so much more.

Features:

• DAILY READINGS by popular Christian female authors including Bethany Hamilton (Soul Surfer), Annie Downs, Christine Caine, Nicole Weider, Elsa Kok Colopy, Crystal Kirgiss, Bekah Hamrick Martin, Denise Van Eck, and more
• CHARACTER PROFILES of women in the Bible
• BOOK INTRODUCTIONS for each book of the Bible
• HIGHLIGHTED PROMISES OF GOD are verses worth remembering
• A CONCORDANCE for help in finding verses
• The bestselling NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) of the Bible 

Check out these links for more information:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

My Review:
As the teen years approach for my daughter, I am realizing I can use all the help I can get.  While she's a great kid, there are a lot of outside influences that pull at good kids to do the wrong things.  The NIV Bible for Teen Girls has advice for girls, every few pages, using people and events in the Bible.  It helps girls relate the Bible to their own lives and the things that they may be going through.  I'm looking forward to giving this Bible to my daughter in a couple years so that she may study it and find the extra readings helpful as she navigates through the teen years.

Just a side note: I love the cover to this Bible!  It is quite stylish and one that I can see a teenage girl being happy to carry around. :-)

Buy it!

NIV Bible for Teen Girls: Growing In Faith. Hope. Love can be purchased on Zondervan's website for $29.99.

GIVEAWAY!

Congratulations to comment #9, Miranda W.!

One lucky reader is going to win a copy of NIV Bible for Teen Girls: Growing In Faith. Hope. Love!

To enter to win leave a comment below. Please be sure to leave your e-mail address with the comment, so I can contact you if you're the winner.

 If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. 

Extra Entries: (1 extra entry per method. Leave a comment for each.)

*Subscribe to my blog in the upper left hand corner.

*Follow me through Google Friend Connect
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*Tweet this giveaway and leave the URL in your comment
*Follow me on Pinterest
*Pin an image from this post to one of your boards
*Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which post.

Open to U.S. residents 18 years and older. Giveaway will end Sunday, November 8th, 2015 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be chosen shortly after and contacted via e-mail. The winner will have 48 hours to respond otherwise I will have to choose a new winner.

"Strong and Kind" by Korie Robertson Review & GIVEAWAY! (11/4) #FLYBY #STRONGANDKIND

*Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

About Strong and Kind:

Hardcover; 240 pages

Publisher: Harper Collins Christian Publishing (October 27, 2015) 

In her new book STRONG and KIND: And Other Important Character Traits Your Child Needs to Succeed, Korie Robertson - New York Times bestselling author, wife of Duck Commander® CEO Willie Robertson, star of A&E's Duck Dynasty, and mother of five - argues that developing good character in our children is the single most important thing we can do to help ensure they lead happy, healthy adult lives.  Robertson explores key traits and what they truly look like in action, asks readers to select the two traits that they hope to see most in their children, and shares hands-on ways for nurturing strength of character.  Written with her mother Chrys Howard and featuring stories and wisdom from husband Willie, STRONG and KIND cuts through the contemporary cacophony of parenting manuals to rediscover, unfold, and embrace the enduring wisdom that has guided the best parents for centuries. 

About Korie Robertson:

Korie Robertson, wife of Duck Commander® CEO Willie Robertson and star of A&E's beloved series Duck Dynasty, is a mother of five a New York Times bestselling author of several books, including The Duck Commander Family: How Faith, Family, and Ducks built a Dynasty, written with Willie; Faith Commander: Living Five Values from the Parables with Jesus, written with her mother Chrys Howard; and The Women of Duck Commander: Surprising Insights from the Women Behind the Beards about What Makes this Family Work, written with all of the Robertson wives.  She is also an in-demand public speaker, Duck Commander® executive, entrepreneur and found of boutique Duck and Dressing, and philanthropist, who remains active with a variety of organizations that focus on children, adoption, and foster care.  Korie lives with her family in West Monroe, Louisiana. 

To learn more about this book, check out the following sites:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

YOUTUBE

My Review:

I couldn't help getting drawn into "Strong and Kind".  Korie Robertson's advice in the book not only follows Biblical teachings, but it is also how she and Willie have raised their children.  She makes a whole lot of sense in the message she's delivering through her book and, if you read it, you'll see what I mean.

I also love that Korie is 'real'.  She doesn't pretend to be a perfect parent, but she and Willie are doing a great job and it shows in the character of their children.  All the more reason to take the advice given!  I've already started, and I plan to continue, to incorporate Korie's teachings into the upbringing of my children.

Buy it!

Strong and Kind can currently be purchased for $17.41 on amazon.com.

GIVEAWAY!

Congratulations to comment #2, apple blossom!

One lucky reader is going to win a copy of Strong and Kind!

To enter to win leave a comment below. Please be sure to leave your e-mail address with the comment, so I can contact you if you're the winner.

 If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. 

Extra Entries: (1 extra entry per method. Leave a comment for each.)

*Subscribe to my blog in the upper left hand corner.

*Follow me through Google Friend Connect
*Follow me on twitter.
*Tweet this giveaway and leave the URL in your comment
*Follow me on Pinterest
*Pin an image from this post to one of your boards
*Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which post.

Open to U.S. residents 18 years and older. Giveaway will end Wednesday, November 4th, 2015 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be chosen shortly after and contacted via e-mail. The winner will have 48 hours to respond otherwise I will have to choose a new winner.