I Saved a Baby's Skin with UV Skinz!

Desiree in her UV Skinz -- summer 2011

May is Skin Cancer Awareness month and UV Skinz has a great campaign on right now:

For every order placed during the month of May you will receive a free baby swim shirt that you can give to your own little one, a niece, nephew or friend's little one or to a charitable organization!

Also if you use the code BLOGS15 you will receive a 15% discount on your order!

So -- a 15% discount AND a free baby swim shirt!

Why UV Skinz?  --  "Just one childhood sunburn can more than double your chances of developing skin cancer in adulthood."  With that in mind, it makes sense that we do what we can to protect our little ones from sunburns.  UV Skinz have a 50+ UPF rating.  You know that without UV Skinz you'd be applying thick paint-like sunscreen on your little one to get a 50+ UPF rating and then you'd have to reapply again in no time! (Check out the UV Skinz Comparison Chart to see how UV Skinz compare to sunscreen use.)

Rhonda Sparks, the founder of UV Skinz, lost her husband at the age of 32 to melanoma.  Her goal for UV Skinz is to "help families live sun safe, while never forgetting how important it is to LIVE and HAVE FUN outdoors!"

In honour of skin cancer awareness month, check out UV Skinz to find amazing UV protection clothing/swimwear for all ages!  Don't forget to use the code BLOGS15 to receive a 15% discount on your order and enjoy your free baby swim shirt!

~ Chelsey ~

Books I've Read in 2012

I love reading books meant for all ages.  Any book with stars by it is one I'd consider reading again in the future (or would consider having my kids read in the future) so presumably you (or your kids) might like it too.  If you've read (or wondered about) any of these books feel free to comment -- I'd love to chat with you...  Oh and if you love a book I don't (or vice versa), we can still be friends. 


You are Not So Smart, David McRaney
This book is about "all the wonderful ways you delude yourself every day".  Procrastination, the need for order in a chaotic world and sticking to first impressions are all topics discussed.  Experiments are used to highlight how unaware and irrational we really are. 


The Last Sin Eater, Francine Rivers
Set in the Appalachian mountains in the 1850's, this novel is about the Welsh immigrants and their tradition of having a sin eater to rid them of their sins when they die.  10 year old Cadi seeks redemption and ultimately uncovers the dark secrets her community has kept hidden for decades. 


Margit: Books 1-4  Our Canadian Girl, Kathy Kacer
These books tell the story of a young girl during the 1940s and how her family adapts to life in Canada after immigrating during the war.  Aimed at pre-teens.  


Cutting for Stone, Abraham Verghese
Set in Ethiopia, this novel focuses on themes such as betrayal, healing and love and the significant effect our choices have on others and on our future.  I found this novel difficult to get into, but it was more manageable after the first couple chapters.  R rated.  


The Vow, Kim & Krickitt Carpenter with Dana Wilkerson
This book tells of the true events that inspired the movie "The Vow".  Shortly after their marriage, Kim and Krickitt were in a car accident that left Krickitt with no memory of the man she loved so much.  Themes include faith in God in the midst of trials and unconditional love.  


The Winter Garden, Kristin Hannah
This novel tells the story of two sisters and their emotionally absent mom.  Themes include family relationships, secrets and war-torn Leningrad.  I like stories that unfold naturally more than ones that hint of a revealing to come.

***The Soldier's Wife, Margaret Leroy*** 
Set in Guernsey during World War II, this book tells the story of a woman who cares for her daughters and her mother in law while her husband is away at war.  The Occupation affects the whole family in different ways.  Themes include love and the dilemmas of war.  Some language.  


A Stolen Life: A Memoir, Jaycee Dugard  
After reading Room, I found this book about Jaycee Dugard's real life kidnapping.  There is some R rated language and mature content introduced in the second chapter, but the rest of the book is not as descriptive.  Jaycee has an amazing outlook on life despite all she and her daughters have been through. 


Unshackled, Pastor Larry DeBruyn
This book Biblically refutes William P. Young's The Shack which has gained popularity among Christians and non-Christians alike.  Topics such as polytheism, heresy and the "Emerging church" are addressed.  An article at Insight for Living also highlights a lot of my concerns with the book The Shack.


If you want to, check out the Books I Read in 2011. 


~ Chelsey ~

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

I just finished reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (1972) aloud to the kids.  I read the book when I was young and remember being stunned by how horrible the Herdman kids were.

Reading it again to my own kids reminded me of how sweet the message is.  This heart warming book is a quick read and opens the door to discussions about bullying, loving people who seem less than loveable and the true meaning of Christmas.

 ~ Chelsey ~

The Little Drummer Boy -- Canadian Style

Check out this music video by Sean Quigley, 

(a highschool student from Winnipeg, Canada)

who wanted to honour Jesus through this classic Christmas carol.

Here's the full story:  Winnipeg teen drums up viral hit 

  ~ Chelsey ~

Winners -- "Theo" DVD Giveaway

The two winners of the "Theo" DVD giveaway are Sarah Hufnagel and tmc480!  I hope you and your children will be blessed by this movie.

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway.  For those of you who didn't win, don't forget about the Buy 1 - Give 1 Campaign.  If you purchase a DVD of "Theo: God's Love" you can decide where in the world you would like an additional copy to be sent to!  

You can buy "Theo" online at Amazon or through local participating Christian retailers. 

Here is your sequence:

20
35

Timestamp: 2011-12-01 21:21:50 UTC

Sarah Hufnagel said...

20

I would say loving obedience for my girls

November 30, 2011 10:01 AM 

tmc480 said...

35

gfc follow
tmc480 at yahoo dot com

November 30, 2011 5:48 PM 

~❀~ Chelsey ~❀~

"Theo" Giveaway

"Theo" is an animated DVD that teaches the basics of the Christian faith.  The series has a Grandfatherly narrator named Theo and two adorable mice named Luther and Belfry (who are reminiscent of Cinderella's little friends).  The quality of animation is good and the show has a great balance between the funny antics of the two little mice and the Biblical messages.

At the start of each show Theo is singing a hymn.  I love that these hymns are being incorporated into this series for young children because it is introducing them to beautiful songs they may not have heard before. 


Biblical concepts such as sin, salvation and faith are taught through the series.  The shows aren't very long (5-9 minutes each), but because the message is so powerful there is plenty to reflect on.  This is a great way to springboard a discussion with your children.


My main wish for "Theo" is that when a Bible verse is quoted, the reference would be stated along with it -- ie: "The Bible says in Romans 3:23...".  Having references reinforced in the dvd series would be helpful for memorization purposes and would also allow people to look up the Scriptures afterwards to read further.  



Desiree (7) said that her favourite part is when the two mice, Luther and Belfry, try to reach the cookies with a hot air balloon.


Elijah (5) said his favourite part is when Theo sings.



The "Theo" website is full of resources.  There is a Parent Guide that helps parents (or even Sunday School teachers) reinforce the concepts discussed in the episodes.  These guides "will recap the Q & A, the Bible Verse, the Bible Story, and present lively ways you can reinforce Bible truths and review teachings at home."  Colouring Pages are available online of Theo, Luther and Belfry.  "Theo" Church Curriculum is also available to purchase.


The Buy 1 - Give 1 Campaign is an amazing program -- for every "Theo: God's Love" dvd purchased, Whitestone Media and Child Evangelism Fellowship will give a child in need their very own copy of "Theo".  You can even select the region of the world where you would like the additional copy to be sent to!  What a great way to share the gospel with your own children as well as with others!

Check Out the "Theo" webpage and the "Theo" Facebook page for more information.  There is also a Free "Theo" App available for iPhone and iPad users.  

Buy It: You can buy "Theo" online at Amazon or through local participating Christian retailers. 

Win It: Two Sowing Dandelion Seeds readers will each win a dvd of "Theo" which includes the episodes "Saving Faith" and "The Good News". 

Leave a separate comment for each entry. Please leave your e-mail in this format: sowingdandelionseeds(at)yahoo(dot)ca  if it isn't public in your profile. All entries will be verified.

Mandatory entry: 

Visit the "Theo" store and tell me which of the episodes of "Theo" you would most like to see (or most like to have your children see!)

Additional entries:

* follow my blog publicly

* post my button on your blog (leave the link)

* subscribe to Sowing Dandelion Seeds via e-mail

* leave a comment on 1 non-giveaway post (leave the post title)

* blog about this giveaway (leave the link)

* follow @SowDandelions on twitter and tweet this

      (can be done daily -- leave the link to each tweet each day)

#Win a DVD of "Theo"-- an animated show that teaches the basics of the Christian faith (2 winners!)  @SowDandelions  http://tinyurl.com/buytba4

Open to Canada and the United States

Ends November 30, 2011

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.  
For Complete Giveaway Rules and Disclosure Policy Click Here

~❀~ Chelsey ~❀~

My Death-Defying Summer

I had a horrible headache, but I had told the kids that we would go bowling with their friends and I wanted to keep my word. I bowled with a headache because sometimes that's a mother's love.


That night I developed a fever and chills.  The next day I was delirious. On the third day I had a moment of clarity (which I thank God for).  I asked my husband to bring me the thermometer and I also took my heart rate.  Temperature: 104  Resting heart rate: 122 bpm.  I told him I thought I should go to the Emergency.

There were chest x-rays and ecgs, blood tests and ivs.  I found out I had pneumonia.  Mid-summer, no cold or flu to trigger it - pneumonia.  They wanted to admit me for a few days, but I refused since Ernie can't take care of the kids on his own (due to stroke symptoms).  Instead I returned to the hospital every night for the next week to have iv antibiotic therapy.

The night that I came home from the hospital the kids had both said in the dark of the night "I hope you don't die, Mom".  I reassured them by scoffing gently at their concern and saying "I'm not going to die".

I had a follow up visit with my family doctor a few days later and it was then that I was told I had "life threatening pneumonia".  I didn't realize that...  You'd think it would have been more obvious to me if my life was threatened.

I nearly died in my family room left for days to "recover" by my well-meaning husband and children...  Then I reassured my kids of the very thing that was up in the air.

The conversation I had with my children after my follow-up appointment was significantly different.  I reminded them that we all will die and not one of us knows when that day will be.  I told them that the important thing was that I have asked Jesus to be my Saviour and to forgive me of my sins and so I will go to Heaven when I die.

Jesus said "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."  John 11:25 & 26

Now that's reassuring...

~❀~ Chelsey ~❀~