For the first time in 7 years Sarah McLauchlan has just released a brand new album called Laws of Illusion. It’s available today and I can tell you it is beautiful. She is one of my favorite artists and I even have a Sarah McLauchlan “station” on my Pandora app and account.

Her music is soothing, meaningful and simply beautiful… as is her voice. So I was so excited to participate in this project and get my hands on a CD right before the release. Click on the continue reading link to see a video of one of the songs, if you love it make sure you grab a copy of the CD at a local retailer. (more…)

As moms many of us think little of all we do from day to day and week to week…sometimes even moment to moment. We do it simply because we are the mom. Sometimes though we find ourselves in a position where we have to go a little beyond what we would normally have planned to do as a mom.

That could mean caring for a very sick child, making major decisions based on the needs of a child and so many other things. Overcoming unique challenges and going above and beyond the call of duty definitely should have it’s own chapter (or more) in the Mom handbook.

Aquafresh & Mom Works Beyond

Aquafresh recently contacted me to offer all of you a spectacular opportunity! I was oh-so-thrilled! Here’s the plan in a nutshell…following this post I want ALL of you moms to post a comment (yep they might be a little long and that’s just fine).

I want you to respond and tell me how you have gone the extra mile for your kids.

Ok, I’ll admit it…I am totally biased when it comes to toothpaste. I think we all are, but since this is the toothpaste I grew up using and still use with my own family I think it is deeply embedded in my psychie (lol).  Oh, by the way, visit their website for coupons…yay!

So there will also be some fun prizes!

This giveaway is very unique so please please please read through the instructions following the prize listings.

• One story will be randomly chosen from all entries as the Grand A Frog In My Soup winner. Not only will this winner receive a $50 Walmart gift card as a prize, but they will also be nominated (by me) to the Aquafresh Creative team to be entered to win a huge prize package (1 year of free Aquafresh) from them.
• Two other stories will be chosen randomly. Each will be sent 2 coupons for Aquafresh iso-active whitening toothpaste.

How to enter:

Like I said earlier this is a different giveaway so here’s the scoop…

• One entry per person. Entry must be a story about going above and beyond as a mom.
• You can write your own story or you can write a story about your mom.

Hurry though, you only have until June 9th, 2010 to enter!!!

(more…)

Recently during lunchtime the Twinkies started singing this age old classic rhyme. It was so cute.

They sing all the time and I am forever stopping to either listen or join in throughout the day. It’s the little things like this that are so fun!

Trying to enjoy all those moments can be difficult in the midst of housework, meals, deadlines and to-do lists but they are oh-so-important.  They are just as important for you as a mom as they are for the children.

Sure, you don’t get to pick when they decide to burst into song…and you typically don’t get to pick (though children are usually very open to suggestions) the song they sing.  But hearing those sweet little voices singing a song, made up or known it doesn’t matter can soften the heart and is just such a sweet thing in the midst of life’s chaos.

I hope you can enjoy those moments today!

Crystal Light has recently come out with a great new product that we love!  When I was told that Crystal Light Pure Fitness was sweetened with Stevia which is a natural sweetener I was very excited to give it a try.

Crystal Light has been around for a long time, but usually products like it use Splenda or other artificial sweeteners in them to keep the calories down.  Artificial sweeteners and I don’t get along, there are several reasons I say this but suffice it to say that I simply avoid them now.

Crystal Light is the first nationally-available, low-calorie fitness beverage mix with no artificial flavors, preservatives or sweeteners and it is colored with natural ingredients. I love that it only has 15 calories per serving, and that it’s sweetened with evaporated cane juice and TruviaTM (an all-natural, calorie-free sweetener derived from the stevia plant), and it’s colored and flavored with natural ingredients.

Pure Fitness also contains electrolytes to aid hydration during light physical activity, making it a great fitness partner. Each packet will transform a 16.9-ounce bottle or cup of water into a light, refreshing beverage in any one of three flavors – Lemon Lime, Strawberry Kiwi or Grape.

The very best part in my opinion is not only that it tastes good, but that it mixes perfectly in water. No more clumpy powder in your drink!!! yay!

So next time you’re in the grocery store, stop by and give it a try. Strawberry Kiwi was my favorite, but the others were very good as well. Enjoy!

Disclosure: I always give honest and forthright reviews and will not present something that poses a conflict of interest &/or that I do not like.  Kraft Foods sent me a sample of Crystal Light Pure Fitness and asked me to review the items listed in the review…these were provided to me in order for me to offer you with an honest review of their product. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

I’m pretty sure there comes a time in every blogger’s life where they aren’t entirely sure what they will share or even if they should. Although my blog started so small, I know that now there are many that actually read it and I want to make sure that the things I share are an encouragement not a downer.

That said, life happens. I have found it necessary occasionally to put down the blog and pick up my kids. That would explain my absence last week. They needed me…and…well…you didn’t so much.

I am so close to feeling normal again, it has been very nice. We still live in our cramped little house as a family of 8 and that still makes me a little crazy from time to time but the laughter has come back and that’s what I love.

Depression is an ugly word and can do very ugly things to a person’s life. I won’t (and don’t) talk about it often here because it is so heavy and in many ways just too personal and even difficult to explain. I will say this though, as a mom of so many my biggest frustration was wanting things to be back to “normal” for my kids!

But I digress….I really just wanted to say thank you to all of you for hanging in there as things have been fairly inconsistent. This week there should be yet another great giveaway for all of you to participate in so I will talk to you all again soon.

Until then, be blessed and hug your family!

I definitely have had summer on my mind lately. As the weather starts to get just a little sunnier I’m seeing glimpses of summer. So over at Mom Central Food I posted about some summer favorites last week.

Be sure to hop on over and check out a fun summer salad recipe for Roquefort Pear Salad and a very yummy Rhubarb Strawberry pie recipe that I got from the May 2010 edition of Real Simple Magazine.

So here’s the bottom line:

Living the Truth is not at all about being religious…it is so much simpler than that. Christ didn’t walk around beating everyone over the head…it’s so important to remember the genuine, human nature of his life. His love and acceptance of the people that so many saw as unclean and the ultimate sacrifice he made for all of us…regardless of our shame, regardless of our past, regardless of our future.

My Pastor had so many stories and amazing illustrations through the years…they truly were incredible. But there’s one simple thing that I will always have ingrained in my heart and mind. God doesn’t ask us to come to him clean.

We don’t have to wait and get our lives all cleaned up before we come to Him…which really is a good thing considering that so many of us would never be able to stand before him if that was the case! The simple act of Accepting, Believing, Committing is all it takes. Yes, really.

I always have to laugh at those who say that Christianity is so limiting and stuffy and you don’t get to have any fun because there are so many rules.  Simply put…it is Freedom. Pure simple freedom. Freedom from so many things. Sure, we are all still human and totally fallible creatures. We will fall again and again and again….and he’ll be there, waiting for us…every single time!

Faith isn’t complicated. When you allow faith to stay simple (after all, it is simply a relationship between you and God), it’s like taking a huge refreshing breath outdoors on a gorgeous sunny day. I know of no other way to describe it, but when you allow Him to just “hang out” with you, you’ll know a peace like no other.

I know that there’s so much more to it than this, but really, when you think about it, living faith every day and having a simple relationship with God is all it takes. I just wish everyone could understand the true heart of God and I wish there were more Pastor Tom’s in the world to touch and influence those very lives that need to know this truth.

The reason for this post:

Last Thursday, May 20 2010, my Pastor, one of  most amazing men I have ever known, passed away. This news was so difficult in a way because it was sudden and I felt (still feel) that we lost him way too soon. When I was 12, my family began attending Pastor Tom’s church, I was so greatly influenced by him and continued to be even now, since he was again the pastor of the church my family attends.

There was always something about him, a kind and gentle demeanor…but there were so many other assurances that you felt…didn’t need to be told, you just knew…peace filtered through the room, just there like a calming breeze. You felt welcome, you felt loved.  In a way I would describe it as feeling like God was always there too, just hanging out in the midst of us all, telling us He loves us.

His son Andrew and I were the same age, and grew up through Jr High and High School together. We hung out a lot because we had so many mutual friends and I am honored to know him to this day. But when we were all grouped as friends, you got to see the Dad side of Pastor Tom. He lived it people…each and every day, in a real and genuine way.

To be someone who could show the love of Christ so completely through my life is something I feel like I could only hope for, but he did it.

Although his passing is so sudden to us and we are saddened to have lost his amazing leadership and teaching, we do realize that it was no surprise to God and that He has a greater plan.

He leaves behind an amazing wife and 4 great kids (all grown + 8 grandchildren). I cannot imagine what they are going through!  Andrew in particular has a difficult road ahead of him. He too is a pastor and they have been in the process of handing him the reigns for a few years now. The difficult part is, Andrew is grieving for his father and his pastor…all while an entire community (several communities in fact, so great was his ministry and the lives he touched) is grieving as well and would normally turn to him.

If you have ever had anyone so greatly influence your life…especially spiritually, you will understand how great a loss this seems to be. Pastor Tom helped me to understand who Christ really was is and that He loved loves me for who I was am regardless. Yesterday, today and forever.

I can only dream of having that kind of impact on another person…even just one.

Through the years, there have been plenty of times I have seen religion get in the way of the truth, interpreting the scriptures to it’s own benefit, cause or prejudice…instead of absolute truth. I am very blessed to have had Pastor Tom all these years in my life, viciously and adamantly protecting his people.

Today I was wondering how best to honor the life of my Pastor and I honestly believe that sharing the very essence of what I learned from him (though I will not do it any justice) would honor him the most.

Final Note:  This post was born of a desire to honor a true man of God who influenced too many lives to count (honestly, I have no idea how they plan to fit us all into a church…even a large one). I spoke simply, from my heart just the basic thoughts. Tonight was not a post on theology, just a simple relationship with Christ.

One word – Avon. Almost all women are familiar with this brand and know that it has been around for a long time. If you think Avon is only for your mom or grandma…think again!!!

Avon, the company for women, is the world’s largest direct seller. All over the world, our great products and proud record of service depend on the entrepreneurial efforts of our more than 5 million independent Sales Representatives in 100 countries. Our network reaches into the heart of every community – selling Avon to families and friends in neighborhoods, colleges and workplaces. For each of our Representatives, Avon is a global name but a local business – their own business.

Avon’s product line includes beauty products, fashion jewelry and apparel, and features such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, and Mark.

I absolutely love getting offers to try products for me (and you) so when Avon contacted me and asked if I’d like to try some of their new products I was so excited.

Let me tell you…I was definitely NOT disappointed! These products are not only fun and hip but they are comfortable and beautiful as well.

Here’s what they sent me (and what I thought of each item)…

• The MagiX Cashmere Finish Liquid Foundation was luxurious and definitely did not feel heavy or clog my pores! And I love that it has an spf as well.
• Glimmersticks Diamonds Eye Liner was so fun, they sent me a more traditional color, but they also sent me an oh-so-fun Sugar Plum Glimmerstick and I love wearing it! I love wearing it and though I’m traditionally the type that only wears eye liner on special occasions, I have been wearing this one a lot more often.
• Their SuperExtend Mascara is fabulous. I love it, no clumping, no crazy mess, just smooth and effortlessly applies. I will have to say that it is a little challenging to remove but totally worth it! My new favorite mascara…need I say more.
• Ultra Color Rich Mega Impact Lipstick is the last item they sent me to try. Honestly, lipstick is definitely the most difficult thing for me…finding a color is definitely a challenge, but finding something that wears nicely and isn’t overwhelming is also challenging. I found this lipstick to be smooth, not heavy…just fun.

Well, there you have my thoughts on these lines, but be sure you check out their other great products as well. Skin So Soft is legendary and with summer being upon us it’s definitely time to stock up.

Oh and right now, you can save 41% on Avon’s Glimmersticks Diamonds Eye Liner and their SuperExtend Mascara…just visit Avon.com and go shopping to take advantage of that offer.

Now for the super fun part…Avon asked me to choose my favorite two products and offer three of you the chance to win! Let me tell you, the choice was definitely not an easy one, but I chose (queue theme music here)…the eyes!

So, that means that three of you will be chosen as winners…each will receive a SuperExtend Mascara and a very fun Glimmersticks Diamonds Eye Liner.

To Enter:

Make sure you visit Avon.com and look around. When you’re done, come back here and leave a comment telling me what your favorite Avon Products are.

Want extra entries (of course I do that!)? Here’s what you do, just make sure you leave a NEW comment for each new entry!

• Become a Facebook Fan of A Frog In My Soup!!!
• Tweet It: Just tweet this giveaway with a link to this post and make sure your comment has your twitter handle in it.
• Blog It: Write a post about this giveaway (with a link to this post of course) on your own blog, make sure your comment has a link to your post.
• Stumble It, Kirtsy It, Digg It, Submit to Mommy Blips: Submit this giveaway to any of these sites and earn an extra entry for each one…and make sure your comment has your Username.

It is void where prohibited, be sure to read my giveaway policies here.  Be sure to enter by May 28th, 2010.  This giveaway is open to US addresses only.

Disclosure: I always give honest and forthright reviews and will not present something that poses a conflict of interest &/or that I do not like.  Avon contacted me and asked me to review the items listed in the review…these were provided to me in order for me to offer you with an honest review of their product. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

In case you are wondering what I’ve been up to over at Mom Central Food…today is your lucky day (if you haven’t been wondering, please bear with us).

If you are finding meal planning to be more than a little challenging, then you are in luck. I shared some great resources {in book form even} to help busy moms out!

Also, for those of you who love good food and other great recipe sources, be sure to check out my post highlighting KraftFoods.

While you’re there, and since I forgot to tell you all what I wrote about last week, there’s a post about Ellie Krieger {food network star and registered nutritionist} and my very own yummy mocha recipe.

Happy health and cooking ladies!

Teenagers…possibly one of the most difficult categories in the digiscrappers (and parents) world! Not only do we have the initial challenge of even getting a photo (you try getting a good one while attempting to catch a teenager off guard…trust me it isn’t pretty), but then we have to find a “look” that works for a teenager.

I’m not saying that there’s a magical way to suddenly make our teenagers love photos and their scrapbook…I generally think that for many teens it’s simply a period of time where they can’t appreciate it as much as they will when they are older.  I guess I see my job right now as simply trying to quietly document these years.

Finding good kits to portray a teen in a complimentary and “hip” way can definitely be a challenge. So here’s a few tips when you are looking…

• Look for bright/dark colors that have depth and texture.
• Look for elements that are a little different…no more cutesy bows and buttons, they want metal brads, splatters, etc.
• Keep it simple: combine the papers and elements in a very simple way using a fun/funky font to complement and enhance the layout.
• Look for templates: there are a lot of great templates out there and this can be a great place to start for teen pages if you are stuck!

This week I created a page of my 14 year old using SAS Designs’ Bits In Between kit:

I have more fun ideas in my scrap gallery: here, here, here and here.

Great fonts to use in teen scrapbook pages:

I actually almost forgot to expand on one of the most important parts of a teen page…great fonts! Quick suggestions: it’s hard to go wrong with a simple typewriter font; anything that is a little grungy usually will work.  Fave sites to get fonts….

• www.1001FreeFonts.com
• www.DaFont.com