NLT FaceBook Giveaway!!

See Below for Details!!

Don't know if you guys know that there is a facebook page for the NLT Bible and right now they are having some amazing giveaways!!  If you go over and visit by clicking this link: New Living Translation Facebook page you can sign up for a chance to win!  For me, when I am just wanting to sit and read the Word...I find this to be the easiest translation to follow and take in.  Written in today's language without losing any of the meaning from when it was written, I love this translation as it allows you to read the Bible as a "story".

Here are the NLT Facebook page giveaway details:
Starting on November 29^th until December 24^th at the New Living Translation Facebook page we're giving away lots of great prizes and something free for you just for singing up.

By visiting the giveaway entry page (located on the NLT Facebook page, the link is under the profile picture) and entering your name and e-mail address you'll be entered to win the following prizes:

• One random person each day will win a Life Application Study Bible Family Pack (Guys Life Application Study Bible hc, Girls Life Application Study Bible hc, Student's Life Application Study Bible hc, Life Application Study Bible hc, Life Application Study Bible Large Print hc). 
• One Random person each week will win an Apple iPad 2!

BONUS: Everyone that signs up gets a free download copy of the Life Application Bible Study – Book of Luke!

So take a moment, pop over and get entered to win!!

Still Reading...
Bina

Giveaway: My Favorite Bible

With the vibrant illustrations and engaging text in this Bible storybook, you can enjoy sharing the best-loved stories of the Bible with the children in your life and encourage a life-long love for the Word of God. My Favorite Bible is a book of exciting Bible stories and activity pages that guide children through the foundational truths of Scripture.

Each story is fully illustrated and includes a simple narrative full of things kids love: repetition, rhythm, and energy, along with a key biblical theme, a key Bible verse, and discussion questions to help adults introduce children to the Bible.

The colorful illustrations will capture the imaginations of children ages 4–8, and the stories will help adults to pass along the most important truth in life—the Gospel. Families will cherish this time as they read, listen, learn, and love, growing closer to one another even as they grow closer to God.

You can take a peek inside by clicking here.

Reading level: Ages 4 and up

Hardcover: 384 pages

Publisher: Revell (August 1, 2011)

ISBN-10: 0800719565

ISBN-13: 978-0800719562

Interested in winning this for a little one??? 
Just leave me a comment below letting me know how to reach you, who you want the book for and you are in!! 
Extra entries??
Share this giveaway on FB or Twitter and then leave me a comment letting me know you did.

Giveaway runs thru Monday, December 12th at midnight PST.

Still Reading...
Bina

Remembering You

My Review:

This is the story of a woman who retraces old steps taken by her grandfather years before as a soldier in WWII.  Learning new reasons to love him, while also remembering some old ones...Ava gets a new view of the world as she learns to see though her grandfather's eyes.   On some levels, I enjoyed the book in some areas as there was a lot of interesting information given about the life of a soldier...but I didn't like the romance aspect to it and, well, it wasn't totally what I expected it to be so it wasn't one of my favorites.  


Cover Information:

35-year-old Ava Andrews' dream job is interrupted by an unusual request--fulfill her 84-year-old grandfather's last wish by joining him on a battle site tour of Europe. Ava is sure her boss will refuse her request. But, instead, he gives her a directive of his own--to videotape the tour and send it back as mini-segments for the show she produces.

As if juggling these two things isn't hard enough, Ava is soon surprised again ... twice. First, Ava and Grandpa Jack arrive in Europe, only to discover the tour is cancelled. Unwilling to let down her grandfather or her boss, Ava and Grandpa Jack head out on their own. Then, while they're on their way, the pair soon meet up with Paul, her grandpa's best friend, and his grandson Dennis. The same Dennis who just happens to be Ava's first love.

Before she knows it, Ava and Dennis are swept down memory lane as they visit the sites that are discussed in the history books. And even though Ava's videotaping old soldiers, she can see their youth, their hopes and fears, and their pride in their eyes. Soon Ava learns the trip isn't just for them ... it's for her too--especially for her heart.

You can read an excerpt from the book by clicking here: http://www.triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#RememberingYou
Still Reading...
Bina

Torani's Authentic Coffeehouse Flavor

I recently had the opportunity to test flavored syrups from Torani that deliver a coffeehouse taste that you can make in your own home...and while those of you who know me are scratching your head (cuz I don't really DO coffee), I can promise there is a method to my madness. 

My husband is the manager at his work place and so I provided the employees a sweet treat to get them in the mood for the holiday season.  I sent him in with instructions of what to do and what to say...and off he went:

I was sent two types to try:  

Torani Hazelnut Flavored Syrup

Gingersnap Flavored Syrup

...along with coupons and a recipie book for yummy mix-ups.

The feedback was amazing - both the syrups were gone within a week!!  It seems that the hazelnut was the favorite as that disappeared first, but both were highly appreciated!!  I guess the real question is why would you want to spend so much money on drinking a cup of fancy flavored coffee out when you have all these Torani flavored syrups to transform plain coffee into a delish-on-your-couch coffee drink?? 

I can tell you that both smelled fan-tas-tic...all five of my kids walked in to ask what I was baking! :) I tried just a smidge poured over a little vanilla ice cream...and let me say, that alone was reason enough to have gotten those yummy bottles in the mail!!!

You can visit Torani's site and check out their online store out by clicking here.

*All products reviewed were free products given for review purposes only. 

I was given no money for this review and all opinions expressed are mine alone.*

Yummy!!...
Bina

A Lasting Impression & Kindle Fire Giveaway

This is the first title that I have read by Tamera Alexander so I wasn't sure what to expect from her, but I was very pleasently surprised to find a great work of historical fiction! 

Set in the aftermath of the Civil War, we are given the opportunity to follow a young girl who has been forced by her father to forge artwork that he was selling as "originals" to unsuspecting customers. But when things make a turn for the worse, our heroine flees to a new state and finds the home she hadn't ever had before...along with a chance to believe in herself.

I do have to say that Ms. Alexander is the QUEEN of chapter cliff-hangers!  I kept telling myself "one more chapter" only to find myself still sitting half an hour later because the girl knows how to hook a reader!! :)  The characters are totally believable, both in their lives and in their relationship to faith...the romance is sweet without being gag-inducing (which is why I typically avoid romance novels)...and the life lessons are easy to pick up and carry into my own life. I will be reading more by Tamera and I would recommend this one for anyone who likes historical fiction (...mixed with a little bit of romance...wink, wink)

Giveaway Information:

Kindle Fire Giveaway and Facebook Party from Tamera Alexander!
While Tamera and her book,  A Lasting Impression, are traveling across the country virtually
(with a few international stops as well!), she will be hosting a Kindle
Fire Giveaway (11/4 - 11/15) and preparing for a lavish Southern-Style Facebook Party (11/15) (dripping with hospitality, of course). She will be giving away Southern Food
Baskets, books, and an array of other fabulous freebies! Don't miss a
minute of the fun. Swoon!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Brand New Kindle Fire (shipped as soon as it releases)
• A copy of A Lasting Impression and 3 other special books Tamera wants you to have (for Kindle)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on November 15th. Winner will be announced at A Lasting Impression Facebook Party on the 15th. Tamera will be wrapping up the A Lasting Impression celebration with an author chat and giving away Southern Food Baskets (Loveless Cafe Food Baskets, books, Amazon & Starbucks gift certificates, and copies of Christy Jordan's Southern Plate cookbook), six gift certificates to Starbucks and  mazon.com, and copies of A Lasting Impression! So grab your copy of A Lasting Impression (it's
okay if you don't have one yet- you might win one!) and join Tamera on the evening of November 15th for an author chat, a trivia contest (How much do you know about the 1860's?) and lots of Southern-inspired giveaways (complete listing here).

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 15th!

Still Reading...
Bina

Heaven Is For Real

I have heard a lot about this book and have been asked over and over again "have you read it??" by friends and family who have called it a "must read".  And now, finally, I can answer and say "Why, yes...yes I have read it."

This book is an easy read, written from the father's perspective as he goes back over situations and conversations with his small son.  I wasn't as affected by the son's stories of heaven and meeting Jesus and other family members as others were...and I am not sure if that is because I already heard it so much from those telling me about the book or because it is a lot to take in. 

What affected me most was this father's viewpoint as it all played out.  His son's illness, his very real conversations with the Lord he both loves and serves as a pastor to a church and his unwavering dedication to his family.  His conversations with both his son and his wife, to me, a very positive example of a Christian father in a world that often showcases fathers in a negative, goofy light.  His passion and love both impressed me and left me feeling very thankful that I had to chance to read about his heart and view.

Cover Information:
Deluxe, keepsake edition of the best-selling book and true story of a young boy's visit to heaven after life-saving surgery.

Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.

Colton said he met his miscarried sister whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.

Told by the father but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready there is a coming last battle.
If you are looking for a feel-good book...this one works.

**Thomas Nelson provided me this book for review purposes & is allowing me to keep this title once finished. I get no other compensation...other than the chance to fill my heart and soul with an excellent read :) **

Still Reading...
Bina

HexBugs ... Review & Giveaway {CLOSED}

Congrats to the winners!!

Random.org chose #6 and #14 and those commentors are:

ClippingMoney 

and

Angela 

are the winners of a HexBug and battery pack

Check your emails for details on how to get your prizes...

you have 48 hours to get back to me!!

Three words:
Boy. Box. Bugs.

When a boy (like ours) lives in a house with four sisters (like his) ... the promise of icky, creepy, Halloween-themed bugs brings much joy.  So when the HexBug box arrived, he was more than happy to take the knife and carve open the lid that contained greatness.

I invited over a bunch of people, put together the Nano Elevation Track, set loose said creepers ... and stood back to enjoy the fun.

even GRANDMA got in on the fun!!

Out of all the things we have had in this house, this was one of the most fun and memorable ... based on the reactions and the amount of people crowding around to cheer on their favorite HexBug as the races were set and wages were thrown.  Hilarious!!

What does the company say about these critters??

It might be back-to-school season now, but smart moms know that Halloween is hot on its heels! Every Halloween party brings an endless array of sweets for the kids and priceless photo opportunities for moms. This year, we have an extra special addition to your spooky soiree- Limited Edition HEXBUG Nano Halloween Zombie and Glows in the Dark Nano bugs and Habitat Sets from HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures!

The undisputed micro-robotic favorite is back in action, with two new versions that just "scream" Halloween! The Limited Edition HEXBUG Nano Halloween Zombie bugs come complete with their very own coffin, and the Glows in the Dark HEXBUG Nano roaming Glows in the Dark Habitat Sets are perfect for dark and scary evenings.

My Review:
I would again like to thank the makers of HexBugs for their generosity in providing an amazing variety of bugs, tracks and batteries for this review and giveaway.  We were thrilled to host a party for this product and got very enthused reactions to the in-home winners of tracks and bugs for their own home. 

The Positives:
(Simply re-wording my son's impressions, as he finds the creepy a little more cool than I do!!)   The fact that these toys are made to simulate actual bugs is amazing...the majority of the ones provided to use resembled roaches in their size and movements.  The facts that they glow in the dark, scamper in uncontrolable patterns and seem to run forever just make them all the more fun to have around.  The provided tracks for the bugs to run on give lots of room for each bug to walk its own path and allow for fun races.  Adding in that they glow in the dark (like some of the bugs), they are most impressive and much loved!!

Areas of Concern?
(This is mom again...)  The elevation tracks are a little confusing to put together and the provided instructions don't contain many actual words, leaving the user to try to figure out the small pictures of the many pieces included.  I get that the tracks are made to be set up as you want them to be, but some direction is helpful for those of us who have no creativity as far as bug tracks. (haha) 

Overall?
As much as I get a little creeped out by the HexBugs, my kids and their friends loved them.  They are fast, buggish and interesting to watch.  The tracks are worth the time of putting together, as the bugs move over every inch of them unaided.  The glow-in-the-dark element was actually a lot of fun to watch as we shut off the lights and let the bugs go...and our entire family was entertained.  Based on the reactions from my son, my daughters (both girlie-girl and tomboy) and all the friends that came to play (adult men included)...these are totally worth the cost and fun.

Want a couple of HexBugs of your very own?  Well, there are couple up for grabs:

To enter to win one of the items pictured above, visit the HexBug website and leave a comment telling me something you discovered while looking around. (mandatory entry...be sure to leave an email or twitter ID in your comment! No contact info, no entry)

Extra Entries (leave a seperate comment for each):

• Follow my blog fan page on Facebook (click here)
• Visit my main blog and leave a comment on one of the posts.
• Follow me on Twitter (@binaspad)
• FB or tweet about this giveaway (linking either my fan page or twitter ID)

Giveaway starts 10/29/11 and is open until midnight PST 11/03/11.

First name chosen will win the orange HexBug and extra battery pack.
Second name chosen will win the black HexBug and extra battery pack.
Winners will be chosen by random.org and be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond or new winners will be chosen.

Still Playing...
Bina