Giving Comfort Shares Special Kits & Care For Cancer Patients #GivingComfort #spon

This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Giving Comfort blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. A little over a year ago we learned that Liam's diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis was causing brain tumors to form. Shortly after he had his port placed and was ready to begin chemotherapy. 

Liam getting his port placed for chemotherapy.

Now on his second round of chemo since the first did not work, we go to his doctor for chemo every Thursday and he is such a brave little man. Some days are great, some are good and others are just plain horrible. Some days his little smile shines so bright and uplifts everyone's spirit while other days he feels tired and sick, making all worry and feel down.

At the doctor with Ralph the dog!

Treatments can be such a scary time for cancer patients, especially when just beginning, not knowing what to expect and experiencing the worst of the side effects. I remember that feeling all too well and sometimes still feel that way. I know Liam does, too, because there are some days he just doesn't want to go to his appointments and I really can't blame him. It's so important for all cancer patients to feel supported, loved and to know they are not ever alone in the fight. With that in mind, Giving Comfort, a nonprofit program of the McKesson Foundation, was created.

Giving Comfort gift kids are made to provide special comfort for your loved one when they need it the most. The kits come with a variety of items from socks and blankets to books and lip balm. All of these items help not only pass the time during chemo treatments, but to also ease the side effects. You can choose from so many different kits depending on what you think your loved one would enjoy the most. Taking a look on the Giving Comfort website, there are some amazing kits not only for children, but also for teens, men and women.

The Women's Essentials Kit

Nothing makes me feel as great as when I see Liam smile and hear is adorable laugh. His happiness is infectious and that's why I choose a Giving Comfort kit just for him. There is a Younger Boy's Essential Kit, which includes a custom pillowcase, blanket, sleep cap, socks, a coloring book with crayons and more. However, I decided on the Teen Boy Kit because it contained items that would be great for Liam and his brother, Josiah. Josiah acts as Liam's guard and protector, sitting patiently by his side during treatment and taking care of him at home. They are always playing with each other and are best friends, so I knew they could enjoy the kit together. It contains:

• 365 Brain Games Book
• $10 iTunes Gift Card
• Ear Buds
• Striped Beanie
• Black Cinch Bag
• Grey Plush Rolled Blanket
• Queasy Pops
• Hand Sanitizer
• Burt's Bees Lip Balm
• Blue Aluminum Water Bottle
• Blueberry Bissinger's Gummies

I couldn't wait to receive the kit and love the idea behind Giving Comfort. All cancer patients should receive one of these kits. When the kit arrived, it was already in a Giving Comfort gift box and ready for someone to open as a gift. The boys were so excited, especially Liam! We always take an iPad to treatment to help pass the time, so he was very excited to have some credit for new games. Plus, he can use the earphones to keep the volume down in the waiting room. Lollipops are his favorite type of candy, so he also loved the Queasy Pops, something I enjoyed while pregnant with him, too. The blanket is another favorite item because it is super soft and snugly. It can get cold at the hospital and having a soft, warm blanket with us is perfect. Josiah was excited about the 365 Brain Games Book, something else we can do together during treatment times. We are at the doctor for hours at a time, so many of these items will be perfect for us to enjoy and to make the appointments bearable. 

Liam's infectious smile & happiness!

Giving Comfort Care Kits are such a great idea and really brightened Liam's day. Not to mention, we can use the items for many, many more days in the future. Seeing that smile spread across his face every time we get another treat out of the box just makes this kit priceless, in my opinion. Watch the video below to see how it brightens the day of an adorable little girl.

Do you know a friend or family member that has cancer and is receiving treatment? 

Giving Comfort has kits for everyone and each kit contains unique items for your loved one. Be sure to take a moment to look at this amazing care kits. They make for a perfect and thoughtful gifts that will not only be used, but appreciated and remembered forever. 

"Like" Giving Comfort on Facebook by clicking below to help support them and to keep up with the latest news!

Fall Is Finally Here & So Is Arby's New Grand Turkey Club #craveability

Fall is finally here, which just happens to be the most beautiful season of all here in the mountains. Here in Ellijay the fall brings many things that our family loves, including the apple season. We always go to the the annual Apple Festival to walk around and see all the unique crafts for sale. After walking around a while, it is time to eat and we have to get caramel apples, the signature dish of the apple festival. These are different from any other caramel apples I've ever had. Instead of on a stick, they are peeled, sliced into small rings and drizzled with the most delicious caramel sauce you have ever tasted. I really do crave them throughout the year and the kids talk about them all year.

I love the box

Speaking of craving foods, our family members are all HUGE Arby's fans. It is our go-to fast food when eating out. Liam, my youngest, is such a picky eater, but Arby's Curly Fries is one of the only things he will always eat. I was so excited to find out Arby's has a new sandwich, the Grand Turkey Club sandwich! We had a chance to give it a try and are happy to report that it is absolutely delicious!!

I usually eat the regular Arby's Sandwiches, so eating the Arby's Grand Turkey Club was quite a change for me and a good change at that. Pulling into the drive-thru, I saw the picture of the new sandwich on the menu board and it looked huge, stacked with turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo on a soft bun. Since trying the Grand Turkey Club, my husband has already stopped by Arby's to eat one for lunch because he enjoyed it so much. He says it is not only delicious, but it fills him up during the day and is just the right amount of food for him.

The kids opted for the usual roast beef sandwiches, but somehow they ended up snacking on MY sandwich and, once it was gone, they were asking for more! I have a feeling we will be purchasing the new Grand Turkey Club many, many times in the future.

Another activity we all enjoy as a family in the fall is going apple picking. There are many apple houses around our home, so we have our pick of great places to go. There is a huge variety of apples that grow here and we can pick them all. Our favorite would have to be Granny Smith apples. It's so fun to walk around and pick apples, but even more fun to reward ourselves afterwards with an apple snack!

What do you crave during the fall season? While you are out enjoying the beautiful fall weather, be sure to stop by Arby's for their new Grand Turkey Club. Then, come back here and let me know what you think. We give it two thumbs up and know you will LOVE it! Click below to "like" Arby's on Facebook and keep up with the latest Arby's news!

 This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Arby’s blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.

Farm Rich Pesos 4 Quesos Sweepstakes & 5 Tips For Spicing Up Your Party #FarmRichSnacks

I look forward to summer for many reasons, including the nice weather, beach vacation... and parties!! Yes, we love being outdoors during the nice weather, be it at the beach or in our backyard grilling out. Plus, my son's birthday falls in June. This year he will be 5 years old! I have to admit, most of the attendants are adults, so the party is just as much for us as him. That's why we go all out each year and have a blast.

There are many ways to make a party a success, from food to activities! We try something different every year and have learned through trial and error what makes a party work. Here are some of my own suggestions for spicing up your party and creating an amazing fiesta!

5 Tips For Spicing Up Your Party!

1. Keep the kids happy with games outdoors! Parents want to enjoy the party, too, so make sure you have fun games and activities planned for the kiddos. Bounce houses are always good or even a good swing set! Water tables for smaller kids are great as well as swimming pools. 

2. Spice it up with some delicious treats! You have to have some great snacks and appetizer for guests, of course. Why not give them something as amazing as your party? Farm Rich has some great frozen snacks and appetizers that are easy to make, including the new Queso Cheese Bites (only $6.99 retail value with 53-56 pieces). They are bite-sized snacks filled with delicious creamy white queso cheese and a little spice! Yum! Be sure to get enough for your guests because you don't want to run out. Plus, they are a great source of calcium, contain 0 grams trans fat AND are only 180 calories per serving!!

3. Cool off with frozen drinks! You need some cool drinks to go with your spicy treats, right? Be sure to have your blender handy. Even without alcohol, you can make some awesome frozen blends everyone will be talking about. Strawberry-Mango daiquiris, Strawberry Margaritas and slushes for the young kids, too! They will love it.

Tropicana Pure Perfect Pick Sweepstakes #TropFloridaOJ

As a child, I always looked forward to a delicious breakfast every Saturday morning with my my family. During the week, we were always on the go and my dad worked from before sun-up until sundown. However, on the weekends, my dad was home and it was the time we could always spend together. My mom went all out for our family, making the weekend a time we all looked forward to. She was always making all the southern breakfast fare you could imagine. Each weekend there was something new to eat (ham, bacon, fresh tomatoes, toast, pancakes, sausave,ect.), but there was one thing always set on the table - Tropicana Orange Juice. It was what she always had on the table when she was a child, so she did the same for her family. I grew up on Tropicana and now, at 32 years old, I still love it and buy it today! Now that I have my own family, we like to start the day off right with a delicious breakfast, too. It is the most important meal of the day, but it is also a great way to spend time with my boys before they head off to school. The boys have a long, fun day ahead of them and need a great start to their day, which always includes Tropicana Orange Juice, too.  I've noticed how happy it makes them to sit together and eat breakfast before heading to school, so it's one of those things we all look forward to! Plus, on the weekends, we still have a huge breakfast for the entire family. It's funny how some things never change. They are traditions passed down from generation to generation.

Tropicana Pure Premium is 100% Pure Florida Orange Juice, so I know my family is getting the best of the best! They grow in several different areas of Florida, which allows them to produce delicious, ripe oranges throughout the entire year. That means we are ensured quality orange juice every time we pour a glass of Tropicana! My boys love orange juice! One glass gives them a great deal of Vitamin C and, this is always important for our health.

As you well know, I love a good sweepstakes and any way to save some money, so I had to tell my readers about the new Tropicana Perfect Pick Sweepstakes. You have a chance to win 100 Florida prizes, including a one-year-supplies of Tropicana (in the form of twelve 59oz. Tropicana Pure Premium Containers) AND a trip to Florida to visit an actual orange grove! How cool would that be? One lucky winner will win a trip to the Florida orange grove with three guests, which includes: Round-trip airfare for four to Florida, a three-night stay at a Florida hotel!! Who wouldn't love to do this?! For all the official rules/regulations, visit the "sweeps" tab on Tropicana's Facebook page. Also, use the box below to easily "Like" Tropicana on Facebook!




Disclosure: “I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Tropicana blogging program, to earn My SocialMoms Rewards Points. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here.”

Check Out The Clorox Lounge For A Good Laugh, Giveaways, Coupons and More For Moms!

I've learned first hand that children say the funniest things! I never know what will come out of my son's mouth and most of the time. The Clorox Family of Toilet Products recently launched a new website called "The Clorox Lounge", which celebrates the most-used and underrated rooms in our homes.... the bathroom, of course! Hosted by one of my favorite comedians, Sherri Shepherd, The Clorox Lounge is turning the bathroom into a laughroom! The community is designed to be a mom's go-to-place for comedy. As a mom, Sherri Shepherd has had her fair share of silly mom moments, so you will find some hilarious anecdotes, contests, coupons and giveaways. If you need a good laugh, The Clorox Lounge is definitely the place to go.

As we all know, going to the potty is the way we moms get a break. I have to lock the door to keep the kids out and I keep magazines in there so I can read. It's the only time during the day I can enjoy the silence and secretly listen to my husband getting pummeled by the kids in the next room. The bathroom has inspired many hilarious moments for the genre of comedy, especially for moms. We've had so many potty training experience, accidents and other happenings that go on each day. You never know what will happen with kids around!

What's my funny bathroom moment with my kids? Well, it wasn't funny at the time, but now that I look back I can smile and laugh about it. When my oldest son was about 1.5 years old, we were at home one day and I noticed how quiet it was... too quiet, especially with a kiddo in the house. I went to check on him and found him in the bathroom. Josiah was completely covered in baby powder and so was the entire bathroom! It took me forever to clean up and there are still spots I find occasionally with a bit of powder. Makes me laugh every time! What is your funny bathroom moment with your child(ren)?

So, remember I mentioned fun giveaways are included on The Clorox Lounge website? Right now you can win $10,000!!! All you need to do is join TheCloroxLounge.com community and register your info! This automatically enters you for a chance to win $10,000! In addition, you can gain more entries each day by logging in AND leaving a comment on a story, photo or blog post. Easy!

There is also a Last Comic Sitting contest going on right now. Over 8 weeks, the 10 funniest moms and dads selected will go head-to-head in a stand-up competition for a chance to sit on the thrown and be crowned the Last Comic Sitting! Each week they will face new challenges and, based on consumer voting, one will be eliminated! The grand prize winner will receive $10,000. For four weeks you will have the opportunity to vote for your favorite comics until there is only one winner left! Believe me, you won't want to miss the hilarious videos.

Tilex Cancel The Mold In Your Bathroom Sweepstakes & Keeping Your Bathroom Free Of Mold

Keeping our bathroom sparkling clean and shiny has become quite an issue! I'm sure many of you can also relate. I get so frustrated with the hard water at our new home and the mold and mildew that always tries to sneak in. When I was in college, my shower looked like a petri dish, but now that I have children, I have to do my best to keep mold, germs and other harmful bacteria at bay! Tilex knows just how we feel, which is why their bathroom cleaners work hard to not only get rid of mold, but keep it away, too!

Tilex says to cancel the mold show in your bathroom. How? Formulated to attack mold, the Tilex Mold Stain & Mildew Stain Remover will definitely cancel that annoying mold show and help you keep it off the air. Right now you can enter the Tilex Cancel The Mold Show In Your Bathroom Sweepstakes. Three Grand Prize Winners will receive 40'' Flat-Screen TVs and 10 Runner-Ups will win a year's subscription to streaming movies! Just "Like" Tilex by clicking on the box below and then go to the Tilex Facebook Page to enter the contest. Tell your friends and receive additional entries.

So, now that you know about Tilex Cancel The Mold Show In Your Bathroom Sweepstakes, it's time for some other helpful suggestions on how to keep your bathroom clean and free of mold and mildew. We all know that mold releases spores into the air and can actually make you sick. This is why it is so important to keep your home clean. Here are some of our suggestions.

Uncle Ben's Beginner's Contest & Tips For Cooking Healthy Meals As A Family #SocialMoms #BensBeginners

As on on-the-go parent, I easily fell into an unhealthy routine last year that I am bound and determined not to repeat. We often stopped for take-out and fast-foods instead of cooking at home. As our New Year's Resolution, we are going to spend more time cooking as a family and enjoying healthier foods. My two boys love helping me cook, so I know they will enjoy this change. There are many great ways to cook healthier meals that the entire family can enjoy, just by switching up a few things. Uncle Ben's actually has a great contest going on right now for children called the Ben's Beginners Contest, which encourages children to cook and eat healthier foods as a family.

Here are some of my tips for cooking healthy meals with kids!

1.  Sit down as a family and put together a shopping list for the week. This way you can make one trip to the store instead of several trips, which saves money and gas, and you know exactly what you need to purchase (instead of kids throwing all kinds of junk in the cart). 
2. Buy fruits for snacks instead of junk. Kids always enjoy a snack in the middle of the day, mostly wanting something sweet. Substitute unhealthy items like candy with fruit for them and yourself. It's good for you and satisfies that need for sweets. 
3. Purchase items from your local farmer's market! Many towns now have a weekly farmer's market, including ours. The kids enjoy going, we find delicious seasonal fruits & veggies and i makes it more fun to incorporate this items into our foods.
4. Add some extra veggies into dishes. There are many entrees that you can easily insert extra veggies. For example, when making spaghetti, throw in some fresh veggies with the sauce, including squash, tomatoes, garlic, etc. 
5. Baking Bread with extra ingredients. I recently found a few recipes for some delicious bread recipes that include veggies. Instead of just plain bread, puree sweet potatoes, pumpkin or butternut squash and include in the recipe. It's amazing how much this changes the taste. Plus, the kids love helping puree foods.
6. Start your own garden this coming spring. Kids love playing in the dirt, so gardening is right up their alley. Last year we planted tomatoes (big boy and plum tomatoes), strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins, squash and watermelons. I have to admit, I'm not a master gardener, but we had fun planting and it was very exciting when something actual grew and we got to eat it with dinner/lunch.
7. Add grains as a side dish to a meal! There are so many different grains and many delicious rices available by Uncle Ben's. We've tried several and the kids love the long grain rice with a chicken flavor. Plus, it's one of the less messy items for them to help with, especially the instant kind. 

How do you try to eat more healthy foods as a family? Now that you have some tips to get you started, why don't you enter your children in the Ben's Beginners Contest? Here's more information about the Ben's Beginner's Contest:

To empower and encourage parents to connect with their kids, one meal at a time, Uncle Ben’s has launched an exciting national contest called Ben’s Beginners! By entering the contest, you could win $20,000, along with a $50,000 grant towards a cafeteria makeover for your child’s school. In addition, you will have a chance to appear on The Rachael Ray show! Uncle Ben’s is calling forparents with children ages 5-12 to submit a 2-3 minute video of you cooking a rice-based dish with your children. For more info on the contest, please check out Ben’s Beginners on Facebook!  

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Uncle Ben’s blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.