Don't forget to enter our giveaways for Penny Love and a YakPak backpack! Winners will be chosen next Monday, when we return from a short blogging break.
You're going to be noticing something a little different here on Fridays: Friday links, as opposed to Fun Friday Photos. We have just not had the submissions to keep up with Fun Friday Photos like we hope to. While we might include one every once in awhile (so keep sending them!), for now we're going to focus on sharing some links from around the Web you might enjoy reading.
Please note that these sites are not all LifeWay-sponsored, and we do not condone everything on every site; but we do feel these posts are worthwhile reads.
Have you read or written something lately that you think our readers would enjoy seeing? Leave the link in the comments and you might see it here in the future!
Added to Saturday Stumbles at Simply Staci.
Talking on a cell phone while driving is dangerous. But a mid-transit chat pales in comparison to the distraction of driving with one (or two!) children wailing in the backseat. Nothing increases adrenaline quite like crying kids.
As parents, we can mentally cope with crying kids to and from the grocery store. But long-distance trips need more finesse. Careful preparation and a few necessities can prevent a few glitches and keep your travel going smoothly. As you prepare for holiday travels, make the most of your trip with these handy gadgets.
1. Snack Container
A signature trademark of a kid-friendly car is a Hansel and Gretel-worthy crumb collection on every surface. If you can overlook this completely annoying parenthood perk, I applaud you; otherwise invest in some creative cups. Munchkin offers an ingenious design with handles and no spill rubber top--two for under $7. Sporting a similar design but with an attachable rope (and additional solid top) is the Spill-Proof Snack Buddy Cup from One Step Ahead.
2. Window Shade
Getting on the road is tough enough; stopping to shade a sunset shouldn't be on your list of priorities. Grab a light-cutting window shade to curb the brightness. Measure your windows and buy the widest shade possible, making sure you have enough visibility in your back and rear passenger windows. Check out your options at Great Baby Products for window shade reviews.
3. Lacing Toys
Kids above age 3 (who don't suffer from motion sickness) will work on lacing boards for hours. Growing Tree Toys has a fantastic range of simple lacing activities, like necklaces and ABCs, to complex connect-a-dot boards. Bring a bucket to set in your child's lap so that she can contain the blocks without dropping them on the floor.
4. Finger Puppets
For the dramatic types in your crew, a set of finger puppets can be a space-saving lifesaver. My favorite are high-quality puppets that tell a familiar story, like Thumbelina or the Frog Prince from puppet master Folkmanis, but folks on a budget can definitely afford IKEA's popular set of circus characters or animals for just $4.99.
5. Favorite Music
Play your favorite kid-friendly music and Christmas tunes. Bring on talk radio or a favorite podcast when it's time for a snooze.
6. Bubbles
So what if you have to clean up the residue later! Bubbles are total fun for all ages, especially when the road seems never-ending. Unless you have an older child, mom or dad needs to commandeer the liquid and blow them toward the back. The best bubbles on the market, hands down, come from Gymboree. These bubbles float forever and the solution never dries out.
7. Barf Bag
Close to 30% of people are susceptible to motion sickness, and kids are no exception. The barfies can strike at any time--there's no guarantee that your child will or won't get sick on a road trip. Prepare for the worst by investing in a few leak-proof barf bags with fun pictures printed on the outside and show your child how to "cough" into it if his tummy starts to hurt. And bring an extra couple of towels just in case.
8. Neck Pillow
This is a tricky one. Your younger child may or may not like the feeling of something so close to her neck. Try it on short stroller trips ahead of time to practice. If your kiddo will wear it, she'll be far more comfortable during naps. Pillows like the Dora neck pillow attach to the straps of your car seat or stroller, making it a bit more accessible.
9. Small Baking Sheets
This ingenious idea from Family Fun keeps the ever-present I-dropped-it-on-the-floor wail at bay. Use a conventional (but smaller) lipped baking sheet as a drawing, magnetic, and keep-it-all-in-one place surface. Glue one or two layers of foam shelf paper on the bottom to make it less likely to fall and affix white contact paper to the top for the drawing surface. Turn it into multiple activities by attaching magnets to buttons for checkers or bingo games. Older travelers might prefer a more sophisticated travel kit like this one from Martha Stewart.
10. iPad
No, I'm not a fan of hours of screen time for little eyes, but during a road trip this godsend is a total catchall. From apps for all ages to music and movies, the iPad is the perfect device for tiny travelers. Purchasing gift cards at a discount from sites like GiftCardGranny can help you pay for the pricey device at such retailers as Target and Walmart, who are currently offering deals on iPad 2 bundles. Then, let your kiddos learn letters with Starfall or everything nursery-rhyme cooky from Duck Duck Moose. (Even little toddlers can play with the Crayola Paint and Create app!) When all else fails, strap it to the seat and watch a movie.
What are your favorite distraction tactics for long car trips? I (Jessie) just took my first overnight car trip with our two little kids, and I might be sold on that technique! Definitely keeps stops to a minimum and sleeping to a maximum!
Ashley Grimaldo comes from a long line of penny pinchers and enjoys blogging on money-saving tips and advice for frugal-minded parents. She lives with her husband and three children in Bryan, Texas. Ashley has been featured among such media outlets as Redbook, The Chicago Tribune, Time.com, and CBS News-Houston.
Added to Top Ten Tuesday at OhAmanda. Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.
I realize that perhaps saying "Christian Christmas" is an oxymoron, but in our society ... it's sort of necessary. My aunt has often said that there is "snowman and shopping" Christmas and "Jesus Christmas."
I enjoy finding Christmas albums, then, that truly do focus me on the Christ of Christmas.
One that was released this year is Christmas by Jadon Lavik. I've enjoyed Lavik's hymn arrangements in the past, and his youthful voice brings light to classics like "Silent Night" and beauty to the original "Hallelujah the Lord Has Come." The album is very mellow and would make excellent background music for opening gifts Sunday morning.
My personal favorite Christmas album is Nativity Story: Sacred Songs. While I don't hold any special affinity for the movie, these songs are truly inspired. "The Virgin's Lullaby," featuring Todd Smith from Selah, Point of Grace, Natalie Grant, and other Christian artists, so gloriously reflects the story of Jesus' birth from the viewpoints of the major players. "Labor of Love" by Andrew Peterson affects me like no other Christmas song, as a mother. These songs speak truth and the album is filled with beauty.
And honestly, I just don't think Amy Grant's Home for Christmas can be beaten. Grant's Christmas albums are classic for a reason. "The Night Before Christmas" definitely ranks in my top 3 favorite Christmas songs ever. And who can forget "Breath of Heaven" and "Grown-Up Christmas List"?
What's your favorite Christ-centered Christmas album?
Here is the third in Becky Suggs' series on her first pregnancy. Enjoy! You can read the first and second installments if you missed them.
My husband and I visited our first baby superstore last week. We are pregnant with our first child. Not having done much research on baby things, we were really just going to get the lay of the land – to figure out what we were going to need and get a ballpark figure of what it was going to cost.
While I consider both of us fairly educated people (we both have graduate degrees), as we walked down aisle after aisle, we realized just how much we have to learn. We looked at cribs and gliders, strollers and high chairs. We then moved on to bouncy seats and swings, changing tables and car seats. So many frills and fancy gadgets. Where was the basic car seat I sat in when I was little?
Each aisle brought more questions and more realization that we have no idea what we are getting ourselves into! By the time we left the store, my mind had shifted to the thousands of choices we would have to make. How do we decide between the swing that vibrates or the swing that rocks? What about the stroller? I don’t jog, but do I need a jogging stroller in case I start? How will we know what brand of diaper to use? What method will we use to potty train? Where will my child go to preschool … much less, college?
On the drive home, I laughed to myself. Yes, we’ve got a lot of choices to make. Yes, there are a lot of unknowns. But, I think it’s okay if we just start with the small stuff – like picking out a crib this week and maybe researching strollers next week. We have a lot to learn, but this is going to be a great adventure for all three of us!
Do you have any suggestions for Becky? What's your no-fail product that you love to tell others about?
Becky Suggs and her husband, Robert, live in the mountains of Glorieta, New Mexico, with their pug, Sadie. They are expecting their first child in April. In her spare time, you can find Becky reading, enjoying the great outdoors, filling in squares to the latest crossword puzzle, and spending time with family. She has a passion for both kids and camping ministries.
Superstore picture used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.
Cutie-pie Andrew is home on the range ... or in his momma's arms.
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
Life could not get any better than this! That was my view on life about three years ago. I had a beautiful 5-month-old baby girl named Grace. She was the light of our lives. My husband and I had a precious little starter home that felt so cozy to us. We were working hard to be debt free, and I had found myself fortunate enough to be able to stay at home full time. Life could not have been any sweeter.
Double the Love
Things began to change when sickness came over me one morning. I figured I must have gotten a stomach bug, but I soon realized that sick feeling felt a lot like morning sickness. Being a new mom, the feeling was fresh on my mind. Surely I could not be pregnant, I thought. How can you get pregnant when your baby is still a newborn?
A few days later, I made my way to the store and purchased a pregnancy test. Sure enough, it was positive! What a shock!! We were planners, and this was not planned. What would my husband say? What would my friends say? My mind was buzzing with questions.
Later that evening, I told my husband the news. I was surprised to hear him say, “The more the merrier.” Mark was excited, but he was not the one who would have to stay home all day and manage life with two babies. My emotions were all over the place. I knew there was no way I was prepared to do it again.
One day I was doing laundry and watching Grace playing, and I thought to myself, if I love Grace this much, how great would it be to have doubled that love in this house? I knew then what my husband had known for awhile. Our house would be more exciting with double the amount of love.
Heartbreak & Anger
Later that same day, I made my way to my doctor’s office because I had begun to experience bleeding. It was confirmed the next day that I had in fact lost the baby. Complete and utter heartache overtook our home. My husband and parents cried and mourned the loss of the baby. I, too, cried but was more angry than sad. I had never been angry at God. But I was angry now. How could God give me this surprise baby, help me adjust to the idea of having two babies to care for, and then take the baby away from me? My mind just could not wrap around all these emotions.
A few days passed, and I could feel myself growing more and more upset. My friends took me out to lunch and tried to comfort me with encouraging words, but I felt as if I was in a fog.
The Miracle
One night as I lay in bed, I cried out to God and prayed, Ok, God … Your Word says you want us to bring everything to You in prayer. I am hurt that I have lost this baby. My deepest desire is for You to give me back the baby I have lost. I do not want a new baby or a different pregnancy. I want the baby I have lost.
With those words, I ended my prayer and fell asleep.
The next morning I was due for a check-up with my doctor. He wanted to make sure my body was taking care of the miscarriage. As I lay on the crinkly paper, my ears were filled with the swooshing sound of a heartbeat. As the ultrasound technician turned the screen toward my face, I found myself staring at a baby with a strong heartbeat. The doctor was called in immediately, and it was confirmed that the baby I had “lost” days earlier was actually still there and alive!
The next few days were filled with tears of joy, exciting phone calls, and prayers of thanksgiving. God had chosen to work a miracle. We will never know all the reasons why God does what He does, But I do know that God used this experience to teach me several things. I am always to bring my worries and cares to Him.
This type of love is perfect and pleasing to our Heavenly Father.
Praise be to the Lord of miracles!
Thank you, Katie, for this beautiful testimony.
Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.
Unplugged!
Want to teach your preteen about prayer? Have your family unplug for a day — no TV, no Internet, no phone. At the end of the day, read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and share how everyone felt about being disconnected from the world. Emphasize that too often, we are even more disconnected from God, the One who loves us and knows our every need.
Forever Friends
Friends are important to your preteen. Continue to monitor and guide your child’s activities and choices as she strives for more independence in choosing relationships. You can help your child make safe and successful relationships.
How much do you "tend" your preteen's friendships?
Photos used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photos for sources.
My family moved to Richmond, Virginia, when I was 8 years old - quite far away from where my parents grew up and where all of our extended family lived. Dayton, Ohio, was a LONG trek now, and with two little kids my parents decided we'd go for Thanksgiving OR Christmas.
One of those first Christmases we were in Virginia alone, I remember a strange guest around our Christmas tree: my dad's work friend, who had recently had a broken engagement and was suffering heartbreak. We loved having him among us, and he gifted me with my very first (and only) Paula Abdul cassette tape, for which I will be forever grateful to him.
source: schreiblockade
Fast forward a good deal of years, and I am 22. It is my first married Christmas, and I live in Nashville, Tennessee, far away from my own parents and even my husband's. I started a job in customer service on November 1, leaving me with no vacation time and the inability to take any even if I had it, due to the nature of service jobs.
I cried in my office one day over the injustice of it all. Christmas had always been steeped in tradition for my little family unit and the thought of those traditions continuing without me was enough to make me physically ill. I wanted my mommy.
Lo and behold, one of my motherly co-workers invited me and my new husband into her home for Christmas Day. They made us feel like family, let us hold the new babies and pet the dogs and call Miss Sheila's elderly mama "Grandmother" like they did. It wasn't my family ... but it was enough. And it was a blessing.
So here is my Christmas advice: don't get so wrapped up in your own family unit that you don't see the hurting, lonely people around you during the holidays. What's one more mouth to feed at your Christmas banquet? Bless others by taking them into your family and loving them. It will set a wonderful example for your children and who knows ... you might be entertaining angels (Hebrews 13:2).
When Jessie Weaver is not busy being the resident ParentLife Blogger, she writes at Vanderbilt Wife and also for magazines like HomeLife and ParentLife. She lives in Chattanooga with her husband, where they run after two little ones: Libbie (3) and David (1 next week!).
We are proud to have Dr. Linda Mintle in ParentLife each month answering questions submitted from readers. To submit a question for Dr. Mintle, e-mail it to parentlife@lifeway.com and include "? for Dr. Mintle" on the subject line. This month we have an extra Q&A from Dr. Mintle we wanted to share.
Q: My husband’s parents live about three hours away and mine are six hours away, in opposite directions. Both sets of parents want us to spend Christmas with them. How do we handle this without upsetting either family?
A: It is really important to have this conversation when you first get married and later when you start your family. That way, you can make a plan and communicate that plan to both families. Some families are flexible and will easily accept any plan you make; others are more rigid and want certain traditions kept with you participating. There are usually four options to consider:
Bottom line, you and your husband need to make a plan that makes sense for you and that you can manage. Then talk with your families and see if you can agree on an arrangement.
How do you deal with multiple family holiday events?
I thought for our Fun Friday Photo this week, I'd share with you some of the Advent ornaments my daughter and I have made while going through Truth in the Tinsel.
These are a candle (for the light of the world), Zechariah (isn't that obvious??!!), and the angel Gabriel.
Some people might see these as craft fails, but going through Scripture and relating an activity is really hitting home with my daughter. I am LOVING this resource and our time together.
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
Paper dolls of yesteryear get a modern boost with fashionplaytes.com. The Web site is free for girls of all ages to design and accessorize clothing. With parental approval, any design can be ordered and mailed to your home within three weeks. You will need a gift certificate of at least $25 to cover the cost of a T-shirt and shipping; prices increase according to the number of additional graphics, appliques, ribbons, and rhinestones your young designer chooses. A jacket or other outwear will require a minimum $50 gift certificate.
Spy Net: Secret Mission Video Watch — Beware! If you buy this toy, you may become a victim of your child’s stealth. The watch holds up to 20 minutes of secretly-recorded video, 4 hours of audio, or up to 2000 pictures. Runs on a rechargeable USB battery. Download missions online for added fun. Retails for $49.99. Check it out at www.jakkspacific.com.
The movie Snowmen was judged by the International Dove Foundation as family-approved. Snowmen is a humorous and heartfelt coming-of-age story about three unlikely heroes and the winter that changed their lives forever. After a surprising discovery in the snow catapults three small-town boys into the spotlight, the best friends hatch a plan to be remembered forever by setting a Guinness World Records® title. Along the way, the trio battles schoolyard bullies, unites their community and discovers that - while fame may be fleeting - true friendship lasts forever.
The DVD is currently available at Walmart.com for $15.
Do you have any great gift ideas for ages 9 to 12? I'm sure it's a very difficult age to buy for!
3 to 5 Years
Come on in! Playmobil®’s Large Grand Mansion has two staircases, shutters that open and close, and a doorbell that rings. The realistic details and functioning doorbell are every child's dream. Set comes with two figures. For ages 4 and up; $139.99. Accessories for specific rooms sold separately. Buy at Toys 'R' Us (currently on sale for $111.99) or from the Playmobil site.
Several online companies now offer attractive wall art. Wallables goes a step beyond, creating art that is actually designed for play. Children may take it down, play awhile, and put it back on the wall. Made of lightweight foam, each piece attaches to the wall with a Velcro patch. Go to wallables.com to see a Disney line, Winnie the Pooh, Toy Story, alphabet letters, and many more! Prices start at $7.99.
6 to 8 Years
Hexbug Nano is a tiny robotic insect that behaves like a real bug. They are available in several colors; some even glow in the dark. The Nano Spiral Starter set lets kids built a two-level habitat for their little mechanical bugs to explore. Retails for $24.99. Hexbugs and their cool accessories are sold in the toy aisle of stores everywhere. Visit www.hexbug.com.
Your child can store his allowance with style with this Steven Joseph Gecko Wallet. It closes with Velcro and features a zipper coin holder, bill pocket, and two card slots. Not into lizards? Visit www.stephenjosephgifts.com to view other styles. Retails for $8.99.
See yesterday's post for gift ideas for babies to 2-year-old, and tomorrow we'll talk 9 to 12!
We are always overwhelmed with products we want to share in our December Gift Guide, but they just cannot all fit in the magazine. The next few days, we'll be showing you some of those products that we love but couldn't squeeze in. Today we have items for babies through 2-year-olds.
Have a bit of fun with a future-inspiring gift for the youngest member of the family. Baby Potential offers T-shirts and onesies emblazoned with a patch to indicate a possible future career path. Choose from artist, teacher, rocket scientist, and other jobs that can set your child on a path to changing the world. Prices start at $15.00. 
Kids Preferred Pooh Hanging Chimes: Pooh and his friends are made to hang from your baby’s stroller or crib. When baby pushes or pulls on them, she’ll hear a pleasant tune. Each set measures 5.5 inches and retails for $11.95. Purchase them on Amazon.com.
Here are a few extras from our Growth Spurts: 1 to 2 Years section.
Fascinate your baby with bubbles and you will both enjoy playtime!
Your little one wants to explore her world. As her motor skills develop, she will be interested in stacking, pushing, pulling, and knocking things down! She will want to imitate Mommy in the kitchen and Daddy at the tool bench. Let your child explore unstructured play with the following age-appropriate toys.
Do you have a favorite toy or activity for your 1- to 2-year old? My daughter has loved the Leapfrog Learn & Groove Table since she turned a year old. At 3, she's growing out of it but my son is about to turn 1!
The three winners of the If Record-A-Story Book are:
#8, Erin:
#19, Mercedes:
I'd ask my parents to record it for my little ones.
#25, Brittany Boardley Renaldi:
My daughter would love this!
Congrats to you three and thanks to everyone who entered! Winners, we will be in touch to get your addresses for shipping.
Mom Katie thinks Asa and Rowan are some good eggs!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
For December, we have TWO great products to give away. Woo hoo! Not to mention we'll be announcing the winners of the If Recordable Storybook today!
Penny Love is the story of a grandmother who uses a penny on the ground as an object lesson for her granddaughter. She tells the girl that everytime she finds a penny, she can remember her grandmother loves her. One Amazon reviewer predicts it could be the next "Love You Forever" — a timeless book that treasures relationships. We have five copies of Penny Love to give away to our readers!
In our December issue, we recommended the YakPak Deluxe DJ bag. Unfortunately, that bag is out of stock right now; but we're glad to offer another wonderful YakPak bag, the Student Backpack, instead. Is your kid's backpack already beat up from one semester of use? The traditional backpack gets the job done while keeping you looking good. One winner will receive a YakPack Student Backpack in their choice of available pattern. They have everything from camo to leopard print to music notes!
To enter both giveaways, just leave a comment telling us what your Christmas plans are this year. Will you travel? Celebrate in January? Bake cookies while tap-dancing to Jingle Bells? We want to know!
Winners will be selected by random December 30, 2011. USA only. LifeWay employees are not eligible to win.
The two winners of Reshaping It All by Candace Cameron Bure are Kristin and Dianne. Congrats, ladies! We'll be in touch.
I would give it to my children and have it read by their aunt who is about to leave to do mission work in Africa. I love the idea!