Showing posts with label kiddos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kiddos. Show all posts

Monday, October 29, 2012

"Hot Buttons" Review {Giveaway}



*Don’t miss my other giveaway going on for
Julie Lessman’s newest book A Light in the Window*

About the book: 

Nicole O'Dell helps address the Hot Buttons in teens' lives before the issues become problems

From dating to drugs, modesty to purity, morals to popularity, teens face all sorts of tough issues. How teens respond to these hot-button issues can have lasting effects on who they want to be and who they actually become. What if parents can help their teens prepare for these hot buttons-before the issues become a problem?
The uniquely packaged Hot Buttons Series is an accessible, quick-reference resource that parents can use to equip their children to make the right decisions, even in the face of peer pressure and outside influences. More than just another how-to manual, Hot Button Dating Edition offers practical real-life situations that parents can read and discuss with their preteens. Topics include: physical activity, missionary dating, and violence/abuse in dating relationships.
Author, mom, and broadcaster, Nicole O'Dell provides short scenarios followed by three or four responses that a teen might choose in that particular situation. Parents are then encouraged to help their children explore the issue, ask questions, and discuss the options, so when a similar situation comes up in real life, the teens are already prepared to respond.

Hot Buttons Dating Edition offers practical real-life situations that parents can read and discuss with their preteens. Topics include: physical activity, missionary dating, and violence/abuse in dating relationships.
Hot Buttons Internet Edition helps parents prepare their teens for online challenges they may face. Topics discussed include: internet activity, file sharing, social networking, and internet predators.
Hot Buttons Drug Edition braves the scary world of substance abuse, equipping parents with facts, warning signs, and real-world scenarios on: alcohol; Marijuana and other drugs; inhalants; and prescription drugs.

Hot Buttons Sexuality Edition offers the facts about teen sexuality, backed by statistics; specifics for how to talk frankly about sex with your kids, discussion about the growth of homosexuality and bisexuality among teens; and compassionate advice for guiding your teen to reclaim purity.

My thoughts:
If you have kids, you need these books. As a parent, I get how hard it can be to bring up these topics and have meaningful conversations. Nicole O'Dell does an amazing job of breaking down the tough stuff into little bites, just perfect for busy parents. And the books themselves are smaller sized, just the right size to toss in your purse and read while waiting in the car at piano or picking up kids at soccer practice. 

Each book is divided into four sections: Hot Button Topics, Identifying Hot Button Topics, Pressing the Hot Button Topics and Parent-Teen Study Guide. She then breaks it down further by listing Warning Signs, Action Steps, Check Points and even quick bullet point prayers for you and your children. In her Strategic Scenarios, Nicole gives you talking points and questions to ask to get your kids to open up and have that conversation. The last part of the book covers confessions, forgiveness and great resources to explore each topic further.  

From drinking and dating, social media and pornography, purity and homosexuality - these books are an awesome resource for parents today. Just because we don't want to cover these topics, doesn't mean we don't have to... Hot Buttons will make it easier to talk to your kids before they hear it from someone else.

About the author:   
Youth-culture expert, Nicole O'Dell is the host of Choose NOW Radio: Parent Talk and Teen Talk and the founder of Choose NOW Ministries, dedicated to guiding teens through tough issues and helping parents encourage good decisions.

On air, O'Dell covers peer pressure, dating, purity, drugs, alcohol, modesty, popularity, and anything else that comes up along the way. Nicole writes and speaks to preteens, teenagers, and parents about how to prepare for life's tough choices.

As an author, O'Dell writes both fiction and nonfiction. Her popular YA fiction includes the Diamond Estate Series and the Scenarios for Girls interactive books that feature alternate endings, allowing young girls to decide the outcome for the main character. Her nonfiction for teens includes Girl Talk, which she wrote with her two daughters based on their popular advice column.
While her YA resources encourage and equip teens, Nicole also works to bridge the communication gap between teens and their parents. The Hot Buttons series helps parents discuss tough issues with their tweens and teens before the issues pop up in real life. Watch for future Hot Buttons books on subjects like bullying, image, prejudice, friendships, politics, and more.
O'Dell, resides in Paxton, IL, with her husband and six children-the youngest of whom are toddler triplets.
Find out more about Nicole at http://nicoleodell.com.

Want more?
Don’t miss the live video chat with Nicole on November 1st and your chance to win a $100 Visa Cash Card!

Listen to an interview with Nicole O’Dell on how to talk to your kids about sex:


See what others are saying about Hot Buttons.

Purchase any of the Hot Buttons books, and more by Nicole O'Dell, at her Amazon store

The prize and the fine print:
The winners will be mailed one (my choice of 4) Hot Buttons by Nicole O’Dell via media mail.

This mailing is limited to USA (including APO/FPO) and CAN addresses.  

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions expressed are all mine and I was not required to give a positive review. 

Use the handy-dandy Rafflecopter widget to enter for the prize!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Semi Wordless Wednesday - The Dance Recital



I finally moved pictures off of my camera and to the computer, so I thought I would share my favorite pictures from M & M's dance recital - since they are so cute! Hey, I'm a mom, I am expected to brag! 



See, aren't they cute? 

As much as I love seeing them dance, I am so thankful that we get a break during the summer. Mom is exhausted from all of the running!

Linking up for Wordless Wednesday:


Love,

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Beautiful Day



Don't pass out, I know two posts in one day is a lot. Heck, I don't normally post twice in a week anymore, but I just couldn't resist sharing these pictures. 

It was a beautiful and quiet Sunday, so I took 5 of the 6 to the pond. (I wish college girl could have come, but she is working or something. The only way I know she still lives with us is that I find her clothes throughout the house on a regular basis.)  

 We fed the ducks and the geese.

 And the babies are out.
 Aren't they cute?

 
 The swans are beautiful.
Trying to take a pic of all of us!
It was nice to get out and not have to worry about anything. Usually, I am going a million miles an hour and I miss out on the fun.

Hope you had a wonderful Sunday as well. 

Love,

Friday, December 2, 2011

And life goes on...

It has been two weeks since the Soldier came home and I figured it was time for a quick update. Life will never be 'normal' again.

What is normal anyway?

The last two weeks have been filled with lots of running and craziness. Sadly, we had to put our dog, Rex, down, the we went out of town to visit friends who are moving far away and for me to see a new specialist. We came home to Nutcracker Madness for the 10 year-old.

Life is never dull with six kids...

The Soldier should be having the first of his surgeries before Christmas. For now, he is on duty at the Vet Center. He has a great case manager at the Air Force base, who is coordinating everything. After all of the mess with the Army, I am very thankful he was able to come home. 

I am so ready for a vacation! Preferably on a beach...

*If you are looking for the latest free ebooks, there is now a permanent link across the top bar. I am trying to update them weekly. 

I am linking up today for what is the last MilSpouse Weekly Roundup. I have made some great friends thanks to the Roundup and I am sad to see it go.

Come over to Troop Petrie to join in. 

Love,

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Semi Wordless Wednesday - Nutcracker Madness


 The 10 year-old is performing in the Nutcracker, with the Eugene Ballet Company. 

 Today was costume fitting and dress rehearsal, without the set - the truck broke down in Idaho!

It was a long day... 

Tomorrow will be even longer! 


Linking up for Wordless Wednesday:


5 Minutes for MomPhotobucket

Love,

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Semi Wordless Wednesday - Saying Goodbye

Today was a day I have been putting off for a long time,
but I am glad the Soldier was here for it.
Goodbye Rex. You will be missed.



Linking up for Wordless Wednesday:



5 Minutes for MomPhotobucket

Thursday, November 17, 2011

What's Your Song? "I Remember You"

I was driving home the other night, after a day of running children all over, when this song came on the radio.

I am almost embarrassed to admit that I remembered every word...


I *may* have traumatized the children.

And before you think I am really old, I was only 12 when this song came out! Why is it I can remember the words to a song from *that* many years ago, but can't remember where I parked the car at the commissary?



Linking up before I leave the house, once again, to run children all over...

Someday, I *may* get to stay at home. 

Love,

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Semi Wordless Wednesday - Canada!


Silly me assumed that the Soldier would have been home by now, so I planned a getaway for the two of us to celebrate our 19th Anniversary (which was actually back in September).


I *may* have planned the trip to catch a show by one of my favorite tenors, John McDermott.


Well, since the Soldier is still gone, I decided to just go for one night. I couldn't waste front row seats, could I? 


And, I decided to take the 13 year-old with me. Because:

A - she is young enough that she doesn't need a passport
B - she is old enough to behave herself at the show
and
C - she is strangely obsessed with Canada. 

Hey, I never claimed any of them were normal...


It is a short drive, but we had fun talking and listening to her music. Which I really don't understand... 

I am starting to sound like my mother. 


We hit the mall (stores we don't have are always a treat!), had dinner and then attended the concert. The next morning, we slept in, had breakfast and then she went down the water slide about ten times. Of course, we stopped by the mall again on our way back to the border. 

I wanted to bring these signs home with me...
I still want to get away with the Soldier when he gets home. We will need the time to reconnect without the noise and demands of six children.  

I am thinking Oregon in March would be nice.


 And yes, I have already checked the concert schedules... 
I may need professional help!

Linking up for Wordless Wednesday! 


5 Minutes for Mom

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