Prayer Request: Trevor Andersen

My friends Cindy & Todd have a 17 year old son who was in a very serious car accident last week and I'd like to ask you to include her son Trevor in your prayers and I'm sure her family would appreciate your prayers to encourage and support them as they go about making major decisions for their son. I'm going to let them explain:

Trevor Andersen is a 17 year old senior at Millard West High School in Omaha, Nebraska. Trevor is the son of Todd and Cindy and brother to Taylor, Tara and Tyler. A loving son, faithful brother and passionate follower of Jesus, Trevor has impacted so many in his short life through his passion for life, affection for humor and infectious personality. He is a talented musician who has chosen to use that talent along with all his others to invest not in himself, but the kingdom of God.

Trevor was in a car accident on Wednesday September 21st, 2011. He is currently at Creighton Medical Center receiving treatment for multiple injuries. Please click on "Read my Story," to hear details and how you can encourage him and his family.

Background Story

On the afternoon of September 21, 2011 Trevor Andersen was driving south on 168th street between Harrison and Q Street. He drifted off the road, plowing into a tree, crushing the front end of his car like a tin can. The impact rendered the drivers side door useless, leaving Trevor stuck in his vehicle which was now beginning to catch fire. Several bystanders came to Trevor's aid, and at their instruction Trevor was able to pull himself from the front seat of the car into the back seat where they were able to break the window and pull him from the vehicle.

Shortly after, the paramedics came and rushed him to the Trauma Center at Creighton University Medical Center. There he began receiving treatment for multiple injuries that include...

Broken lower jaw in three places, broken upper jaw, shattered cheek bones and nasal passage, fractured skull at the top of the neck, broken pelvis at both hips, 3 lumbar vertebrae, and a collapsed lung. Trevor also has a compound fracture in his right leg. 

Over the past 24 hours, its been almost a constant flood of new information from doctors regarding the discovery of new injuries and issues. 

At this point, the family and friends of Trevor are taking comfort in the many ways God so clearly protected Trevor from any life-threatening injuries. Though he has been beaten up badly, he is in stable condition and has already begun to take the first steps toward a very long recovery process. 

Trevor's incredible heart for people was seen in the small communications he was able to make with friends and family in the hours following the tragedy. Even in his worst moments, coming in and out of sedation, he was intentionally active in his desire to comfort his worried mother, and the care for other drivers he thought may have been on the road that afternoon. 

Trevor is an amazing kid with a unique heart for others and an inspiring passion for Jesus Christ and His eternal kingdom.

We are confident today that God, the creator of the universe, maker of the heavens, and author of faith, has a plan for this young life. We believe He wants to use it in a powerful way to leave a lasting legacy of kingdom impact, love and hope. 

Thank you for entering into his story. Thank you for your desire to encourage him in this long and difficult process. Your love and support mean the world. Please come to this site often to encourage him and his family, and to hear updates on his process.

God is good, when our circumstances are hard

God is faithful, when we don't understand

and God is in control when we are out of it.

It is in his sovereign and capable hands that we place Trevor, believing that God will have his way, and that His ways are good... all the time.

From Tina:

I will try to post updates as I can. I know they will greatly appreciate any prayers and encouraging words you would like to leave to encourage their family & Trevor.

Surgery schedules & prayer request:

1) Trevor is set up for surgery on Thursday at 12:30pm to repair his leg fractures. 
2) Dr. Ayoub, the plastic surgeon, is scheduling the facial fracture surgery for Tuesday, October 4th. Praise: In God's Divine timing, Dr. Ayoub attended a conference this past weekend where he networked with colleagues.  He explained Trevor's case and how the high jaw fractures were going to be an issue.  Two colleagues stepped up and volunteered some of their instruments, which will make the surgery easier!  The tools are currently on their way to Omaha! 
3) Prayer: Pray for encouragement and support and pain relief. Also pray for the doctor's to have steady hands during surgery and the ability and knowledge to help Trevor recover.

It's Party Time!

Let's get this party started!

To bring in this month's festivities with a bang, we bring to you the

Friends You Love Kick-Off Twitter Party,

courtesy of our friends at One2One Network!

Join us on Tuesday, October 4 from 7:30 - 9:00 pm CST for the

Friends You Love Kick-Off Twitter Party!

We plan to chat about friendship, the important role our BFFs play in our lives, how blogging has added to your circle of friends, and best of all -

THERE WILL BE PRIZES!

RSVP HERE!

We hope to see you there!

Today's Hops:

 

The Kumon Study Smart Sweepstakes

Pls note: I've reloaded IntenseDebate since some of you were having trouble adding your comment/entries - you're comments are still there - just click on "comments (0)" and it will take you to the comment page where they are all listed and a comment box comes up. ~ Thanks for letting me know. =D

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Do you have any special tricks or tools that you use to help your child succeed in school? Is there anything special you did when your kids were younger to make studying more fun and not seem like torture? When I was a nanny I had a lot of fun helping the kids with their spelling words. I used a variety of activities to help with spelling words - they never knew which I was going to do:


1)  Spell the word (that's obvious isn't it?)
2)  Say the word in a sentence (this helps with reading comprehension)
3)  Draw a picture of the word (they read it on a 3x5 card)
4)  I'd hold up a picture of the word and they would spell it for me.
5)  Write the word on the chalkboard
6)  Use scrabble tiles and have the kids spell the word out.


***7)  Younger kids who aren't in school or reading yet - make up "spelling" cards with a picture of the object and underneath put little boxes for each letter. Put a letter in each box that spells the word of the picture. Using scrabble tiles, your child spells the word matching the tile to the letter. Have them say the word before putting the tile on running their pointer finger under the letters from left to right and then after they've put the tiles on they say the word using their pointer finger. This helps them understand that the letters make the word and also helps them understand that we read left to right.


What do you do? Kumon is hosting a FUN Study Smart Sweepstakes where someone is going to WIN a $500 Visa gift card. You can use it to add to your child's college fund, put it toward a super cool birthday gift or Christmas, toward sports camp, toward something special you and your family want to do..... 

Blog Hop FUN! Get a TIP - Leave a TIP!

Click on the link at the bottom to go to the NEXT blog in the Hop!

About the Kumon Study Smart Sweepstakes:

Have you perfected a brain-boosting snack food or created the coziest homework hot spot? Enter the Kumon Study Smart Sweepstakes and share your family's secret to studying success! You'll be entered for a chance to win one of four $500 Visa® gift cards to deck out your child's study space in the best gear.

To participate, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kumon from September 7 to October 12, click on the Contest tab and tell us, in 80 words or less, your best studying tip. Attach an optional photo to show your child hard at work studying or to show off your child’s special study space. 

A winner will be drawn every Friday during the contest and announced the following Monday. Enter early to be eligible for each weekly drawing. One entry per person, please. Winners can only win once during the sweepstakes.

WIN a $25 Gift Card to Barnes & Noble! 

I get to give away a $25 gift card to one of my readers! Is it going to be you? To enter, here is what you need to do:

Manditory: You must do this to enter (if you're already following just let me know or you can follow on FB or Twitter if you'd like):

1) Follow GivingNSharing on GFC (left column) - leave me a comment with your user name

Optional: you don't have to do these if you don't want to, but I'd love it if you did!

2) Like Kumon on their FB page and leave a comment that you came from GivingNSharing and include this link. Leave a comment below w/ the hyperlink.

3) Tweet as is:  "Enter to WIN a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card on GivingNSharing, ends 9/30, WW Pls RT @familyliteracy http://tiny.cc/ihh9k

BLOG HOP - The NEXT blog is:

This post is part of a blog hop and you can visit the blog on the list at: Victoria's Voice - click on through and see what her tip is - leave a tip too - and then go to FB and enter your TIP to enter the contest.

It's the GREAT Chicken Challenge!

How many ways can you prepare chicken?

Need some NEW ideas?

It's the GREAT Chicken Challenge!

A series of head-to-head chicken dish challenges to help

moms diversify their dinner routine.

Details:

What:  Hellmann's Live Chicken Challenge

Where: Live stream at Facebook.com/Hellmanns

When:  Tomorrow, Sept 20th at 12:10 pm EST

Who:  Celeb dad and actor Mark Consuelos, renowned chef Tim Love

and lifestyle expert Sissy Biggers

Disclaimer:

Our posts are to let you know about the Great Chicken Challenge 

and I'm hoping to WIN 1 of 6 Giftcards from One2One Network for helping out.

greenteaDaily - review

About GreenTeaDaily:

For thousands of years, green tea has been a staple of Asian diet, promoting long life and healthy living. Recent research associates green tea with weight loss and weight control. To reap many of green tea's health benefits including weight loss, one would need to consume large amounts of green tea.

Green Tea Daily uses premium green tea picked at first flush.  At this stage it's rich in antioxidants and fat-burning properties and has the ability to elevate our body's metabolic rate, lower cholesterol levels, promote cardiovascular health, and most importantly, increase our body's immune power. 

By adding high quality fruits such as maqui berry, acai berry and noni to help get rid of free radicals and strengthen our body against diseases and also slow down the aging process and give us young and beautiful skin. To top it off they also add calcium to help strengthen our bones. It's truly a all-around product with the whole body in mind.

My thoughts:

GreenTeaDaily is a wonderful, delicious, tasty drink that helps build up your immunity and help lose weight. There are 5 different flavors of GreenTeaDaily. I've tried the Strawberry Lemonade and when I first added it to my bottled water I actually thought it would be green! But when I first shook it up it was kind of cloudy and then it cleared up more or less. The flavor was intense and delicious. It does have a little aftertaste but it's not bad and I really didn't notice it until I was almost done with the bottle. I'm drinking the creamsicle now and I did notice a little clumping up of the powder - but it still tastes great!

I really like having another option in a drink.that doesn't have any additives like aspartame, fructose, artificial flavorings or colors.  There are a few added sugars, about 130 mg but not as much compared to other brands which have up to 53 grams of sugar. - it didn't have a overly sweet taste and no nasty powder grit on the tongue.

I gave the creamilicious and the chocolate to a friend and she was excited to try those - I'll let you know how she liked them after I hear.

Information you might like:

You can find out more about the benefits of Green Tea here (scroll down to 13 proven benefits)

The Benefits of Green Tea by EmpowerHer here




You can purchase a stash of GreenTeaDaily - with it's little individual packets it's perfect to toss in your purse, lunchbox or desk drawer when you are having a craving for a soda - or just need something to quench your thirst.  (You can check out their website by clicking the pictures)


It's available in the 60 ct boxes (great for weight loss) and smaller boxes (called a sample box of 12). You can also purchase 2 boxes (save $10) or 3 boxes (get a FREE Noni Box) in a set and save a little that way. Check out their website for purchasing information, more reviews and more here.

Welcome to the Rafflcopter Round Up hosted by Simply Stacie and Makobi Scribe.GreenTeaDaily is offering one of my readers a 60 ct box of GreenTeaDaily. Be sure to enter below and return each day to do a tweet. =D ($59.95 value!) Please fill out the Rafflcopter form below:

Now hop around to the other giveaways that all have Rafflecopter entry forms and prizes valued at $25 or more! (I've already entered some of the contests - and there are some GREAT giveaways)

Today's Giveaways:

 

Classic Reading for Kids: Week 3 - Peter Pan

Mymcbooks.wordpress.com and Family Literacy and You are sharing great Children's Classical Literature in September 2011. Each of us are featuring 4 of our favorites through a review of the book and then we are giving it away!


Peter Pan is one of my all-time favorites in Children's literature. The story of a little boy who refuses to grow up, fights pirates and flies could be the story of most little boys who want to play all day, not go to school and think life would be perfect if they could fly and use a sword to battle pirates and have adventures forever.

Peter Pan
by JM Barrie
ISBN: 0694013188
Charming Classics

My Thoughts: Peter Pan is one of those books that you pick up and don't want to put down. On her last night in the family nursery Wendy is told that she will now have a room of her own and that it is time that she grew up. Her mother is a romantic, dreamy sort who to me seemed a little

Classic Reading for Kids.... Stuart Little Review & Giveaway!

 

Stuart Little
by E.B. White (1899 - 1985)

Published by:

ISBN: 978-0064410922

Reading Level is Grade 4-6, 9-12 yrs, 131 pages

Purchase on Amazon for $5.99 here

About the book:

Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat. Though he's shy and thoughtful, he's also a true lover of adventure.

Stuart's greatest adventure comes when his best friend, a beautiful little bird named Margalo, disappears from her nest. Determined to track her down, Stuart ventures away from home for the very first time in his life. He finds adventure aplenty. But will he find his friend?

My thoughts: (note: links in this story are red/yellow)
It's not often a mouse is born into a house with a human mother, father and older brother. Nor can a mouse talk, brush his teeth, or drive a car. Stuart is a like-able character who seems to attract

Gypsy Knights Review & Giveaway for a Kindle Book!

Click above to follow the tour!

Gypsy Knights
by Two Brothers Metz
Kindle Price: $2.99 purchase
Published by LoudCloud Publishing

About the book:
Fourteen year old Durriken Brishen has lost his grandfather, his parents and though he doesn't know it, his culture's dangerous gift. Taken in and raised on the rails by a freight train engineer, Durriken has one remaining connection to his Gypsy roots, a small wooden box that hangs from the hammer loop of his overalls. The last gift he received from his grandfather, the box contains the world's first chess set. Gypsy Knights is the saga of Durriken Brishen and his quest to rediscover his past.

My thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book. It's fast paced, full of history and it was fun to "travel" with Durriken (Duri) and his friend Dilia. The book opens with the story of how Duri receives the chess set and the death of his parents. At first it's hard to know who everyone is because it jumps around some between years and individuals. You jump from his story, to

Adult Review: Fairer Than Morning (Book Tour)

Enter 9/1-9/20!

Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott
Series: The Saddler Legacy (Bk 1)
ISBN: 978-1595547859
Thomas Nelson Publishing
Order on Amazon for $10.76

About the book:
Ann dreams of a marriage proposal from her poetic suitor, Eli-until Will Hanby shows her that nobility is more than fine words.

On a small farm in 19th-century Ohio, young Ann Miller is pursued by the gallant Eli Bowen, son of a prominent family. Eli is the suitor of Ann's dreams. Like her, he enjoys poetry and beautiful things and soon, he will move to the city to become a doctor.

Ann travels to Pittsburgh, accompanying her father on business. There she meets Will Hanby, a saddle-maker's apprentice. Will has spent years eking out an existence under a cruel master and his spirit is nearly broken. But Ann's compassion lights a long-dark part of his soul. Through his encounters with Ann's father, a master saddler, Will discovers new hope and courage in the midst of tremendous adversity.

When the Millers must return to Ohio and their ministry there, Will resolves to find them, at any cost. If Will can make it back to Ann, will she be waiting?

My thoughts: 
Both heroes in Fairer Than Morning are strong individuals. Both have a will to survive and know what they believe although it's not apparent necessarily at the beginning. I truly enjoyed the strength of Will, an 18 year old indentured servant learning the trade of saddlery. The book takes place in the 1820's, Will has a cruel "master" who enjoys beating on his apprentices and "lording" his power and right to hurt them and take his frustration out on them. It was really nice to see him retain his faith during the years he is indentured to this man and to see his prayers asking God to help him get through it.

Ann is the heroine of the book. Her father is a circut minister and saddler who travels frequently and Ann is left to care for her 2 younger sisters that she is more or less raising on her own. Her life revolves around her family and the various suitors who ride up to her house and take her riding or to dances. Ann's character is very strong and it was nice to see that in a historical novel.

I didn't notice Ann's faith as much as Will's who has obviously leaned heavily on God and his knowledge of scripture which his father instilled in him before he died when Will was 10. I found it kind of surprising that Ann's didn't seem as strong (visibly) as her father is a minister but there doesn't seem to be any scenes of her getting into the word much/nor praying as much as Will did (granted his was praying for strength just to get through his day).

An outstanding book with strong characters. There were several plots through out the book, all are very well thought out and completed with no loose threads by the end. I personally don't recommend this book for kids under 16 probably. In fact if you want to make it available to them you may want to read it first. The subjects covered throughout include slavery, premarital sex, branding, disfigurement and there are also a few graphically described scenes (that are tastefully done if that's possible). There are discussion questions and it's a good opportunity to see life from another's eyes and to see how God helps those who call on him.

Be sure to watch for Book 2, Sweeter Than Birdsong, coming February 2012. I really looking forward to reading it!

About the author:
As the child of a career military man, Rosslyn Elliott lived in four states and two foreign countries before she graduated from high school. She attended Yale University, where she earned her BA in English and Theater Studies. After five years working first in corporate New York City, then as a schoolteacher, she entered the Ph.D. program in English at Emory University and finished her dissertation in 2006.

Her study of American literature spurred her to pursue her lifelong dream of writing fiction. Rosslyn lives with her husband and daughter in the southwestern United States.

Much thanks goes to Thomas Nelson and Litfuse for sharing a copy of Fairer Than Morning with me to review. I have found a new favorite author and I look forward to reading more of her works. No money exchanged hands and I was not required to write a positive review.

FaceBook Party Announcement!

To enter just click one of the icons to the left. But, hurry, giveaway ends on 9/19. Winner will be announced on 9/20 at Rosslyn's Book Club Facebook Party. Details and official rules can be found when entering the contest.

During the party Rosslyn will be chatting with guests, hosting a book chat about Fairer Than Morning & historical fiction, testing your trivia skills, and giving away books and gift certificates (Amazon, iTunes, Starbucks). She'll also be giving away a $200 gift certificate toward a FABULOUS custom-made period dress from Recollections! 

                                              Don't forget: Sept 1-20!

  

The Breit Eyes Contest sponsored by Mary Englebreit and Airwear

Sept 5-11: Four Eyes Pride Week

Does your kid wear glasses? Change your Facebook picture to show a picture of your kid wearing their glasses with pride (or do a picture of yourself)! You've only got 1 more day to get it posted - so get on the ball and show them at their cutest in the Breit Eyes Contest hosted by Mary Englebreit and Airwear Lenses!

Airwear glasses are:

• lighter, safer and more impact resistant than standard 100% UV protection.
• made using environmentally conscious practices in packaging, water consumption and manufacturing waste re-use.
• the Essilor Junior lenses are 12x stronger than standard lens material and ideal for children and active teens and have a 1 year unlimited warranty from Essilor.
• 45% lighter and 25% thinner than regular lenses. 

To learn more about Airwear’s commitment to producing lighter, safer and greener eyewear for adults and children, visit LighterSaferGreener.com.  

Mary Englebreit (from her blog)

What could you win?

• One lucky winner will win: An original sketch by Engelbreit in the likeness of the child in the winning photo, plus a trip to tour Engelbreit's St Louis studio.

• One runner up will receive a collection of children's books authored and signed by Engelbreit.

Here's what you need to do:

LIKE Airwear's Facebook page:   

Follow the directions to enter the contest

on the entry form 

Click ME

Submit a photo of your child wearing eyewear. 

Photos cannot exceed 2 MB in size & must be submitted in 

jpg, gif or png format (the rest of the rules)

The contest runs from Sept 1 to Sept 30th. Be sure to enter right away! 

I Hope You and Your's WINS!

Amy Adele review

Amy Adele has the cutest designs for postcards, mommy cards and even cute little gift cards for presents. Amy Adele sent me a couple of designs to use with my business. Cute little postcards that I could use at my literacy booths to hand out to customers to thank them for stopping by - they have my website address and contact information and they also sent me these little business cards that have information for savingsangel.com so I can hand those out as I meet people who are interested.

The cards they sent me are printed on recycled paper but feel like they are professionally made and they look great too. All of their paper products are 100% post-consumer recycled -- including envelopes and address labels!

They have envelope labels, Christmas & Holiday cards, invitations, calling/business cards, stationary, announcements (for baby/wedding) and I'm sure if you had a special need they could come up with something perfect for you!

You can see more of their cute designs & products here. Check out their facebook pages and twitter accounts too (just click on facebook and twitter to get there). Sign up for their newsletter & get 20% off your first order! Click here and scroll down!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.