Operation United Hearts ~ Fundraiser & Giveaway

I think our hearts always go out to families in need, but it seems we are even more in tune to the needs of those around us during the holiday season.  We see things, such as the tragic event that took place in Connecticut yesterday, and we want to help.  We want to give.  And that’s just what we are doing now . . .

We’re teaming up with a group of bloggers to form Operation United Hearts.  “What’s that?” you ask. Well, it’s a three-fold thing . . .

First – a GIVEAWAY! We are giving one lucky winner a $140 Amazon Gift Card PLUS a copy of Magical Mouse Schoolhouse: Learn while you Play at Walt Disney World Resort by Jodi Whisenhunt!

Our giveaway starts today and ends on 12/22.  You can enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. 

Second – a CAUSE.  We have joined forces – as a group of bloggers, writers, military supporters and moms – to help a single military mom in need.  She and her young children lost their home to fire in November.  You can read more of the tragic story here and read how others are teaming up to help her here. We have donated $300, toys, books and more for the family just in time for Christmas!

Third – a FUNDRAISER!  You can help too! Anyone can mail donations directly or donate by Paypal.  (To mail payment, please e-mail for address.  To pay via Paypal, make payment to msmommyhh6@yahoo.com.)

 

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Entry is easy, using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Simply follow the instructions. I’d love to hear if you enter, so please leave me a comment! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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We’d love to have you visit our participating bloggers! 

• Live, Love & Learn with Ms. MommyHH6  (our host)
• Military Wives Saving 
• Busy Bumble Bee
• Mom-blog
• Mother Daughter Book Reviews
• The Dragyn's Lair
• Brain Foggles
• Magical Mouse Schoolhouse
• Heidi's Head (you are here)
• Pursuing the Magic
• Ask Doctor G
• Capturing Magical Memories
• Focused on the Magic
• the Crazy Nuts Mom
• DIStherapy
  

Christmas Music Already? (Giveaway)

I love music.  I love Christmas.  So, it makes perfect sense that I really love the combination of the two – Christmas Music! Each year, we try to add at least one new Christmas cd to our collection.  And, each year, I think how the Christmas music season just doesn’t last long enough! So, I’ve been known to dig out my collection early and start listening. 

Lately, we’ve been listening to some new Christmas cd’s in the  van.  I’d like to tell you about them (then, offer a giveaway, so that you can enjoy them as well!)

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GRAMMY-nominated and BEC Recordings’ artist Jeremy Camp has released a Christmas project this holiday season titled Christmas: God With Us. This is Camp’s first full-length Christmas project in his 10-year career. The album is produced by Brown Bannister and Ben Shive along with Camp. Camp’s Christmas album is filled with holiday classics as well as the original title track “God With Us.” Fans will hear favorites such as “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Joy To The World,” and “Mary Did You Know.” Although these are traditional songs, Jeremy takes a fresh approach to the arrangements on his album.

Heidi Says . . . I am really enjoying this album!  Jeremy has a rich-sounding voice and gives these traditional songs a bit of a country-flair.  I don’t think there are any songs on the album that I don’t like.  I’m especially fond of “God With Us” – a song that Jeremy and his producers wrote together.  I think it’s hard to write a Christmas song that rivals the greats of old; but this one is excellent.  Its easy to pick up on and sing along with.  I’m sure this album will be a family favorite.

This Christmas, our friends from down under, Hillsong, bring us an album full of inspiring and festive songs soon to become Christmas classics. The seasons may be flipped with December falling in the middle of summer for Australia and there may not be snow, sleigh rides or “chestnuts roasting by an open fire”, but there is a common love for a baby born in a manger over 2,000 years ago. God incarnate. God amongst us. The greatest reason to sing this year and every year – sun or snow.  The first Christmas album from Hillsong in over 7 years features last year’s popular radio single “Born Is The King”, new arrangements to classic Christmas hymns as well as brand new songs to help keep our minds and hearts focused on the true reason for the season.

Heidi Says . . . Of the 3 albums that I received, I expected this one to be my least favorite, but I honestly don’t have a least favorite – I like them all for very different reasons.  I really enjoy listening to the voices of Hillsong on this album.  “Born Is The King” is a particular favorite, and I know I’ll like it even more when I’ve committed it to memory and can sing along.  I haven’t had this album as long, but I know we’ll all enjoy listening to it throughout the holiday season!

Rising singer/songwriter Josh Wilson releases his first full length Christmas album, “Noel”, this October as a follow up to last year’s hugely successful Christmas tour (Noel: A Unique Christmas Experience) and the #1 Christmas single of 2011, “Jesus is Alive”. Known for being one of the top songwriters and multi-instrumentalists in the industry, Wilson has been hailed as “the future of Christian pop” by media and his albums are regularly named to Year-End Top Ten Album lists. He has released numerous No. 1 hits including “Savior Please” and the powerful track “Before the Morning,” which landed the No. 4 spot on Billboard’s Year-End Christian Songs chart.

Heidi Says . . . I’ve been a fan of Josh Wilson since I heard “Before the Morning” several years ago.  The message behind that song really met me where I was at the time.  Immediately upon popping Noel into the cd player, you can tell that it’s classic Josh Wilson.  He has a very distinct sound, which I love!  His voice is so friendly and makes me feel like I’d like him just as much in person!  The 2 instrumental works on this album are great.  There are also 2 duets – one with Mandisa that is a lot of fun! 

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Now for the giveaway . . .

I have one of each of the above albums to give away.  And because I’m in the Christmas spirit, we’re going to make this as simple as possible . . .

All you have to do is leave me ONE COMMENT.  In the comment, tell me about your favorite Christmas song or cd and why it is your favorite. 

Then, also tell me which cd listed above that you would most like to win.  Listing your 2nd and 3rd choice will make your chance of winning a little bit better!

Next Saturday, November 10th, I will randomly select THREE winners, who will each receive one of these great cd’s to enjoy! GOOD LUCK!

 

NOTE: I received the cd’s mentioned above for free, in the hopes that I would share about them on my blog.  I only share things that I personally use and think would be a good fit for my readers.

Up on the Housetop

Gracie’s violin ensemble group performed last night for a Tree Fest.  I tried taping a few of the songs, but most of them had too much background noise (people were walking around looking at the trees while they performed).  This one came through the best, so I thought I’d share:

Wreaths of Maine

My delivery men always get a nice reception at my house.  The kids and I all get excited when we see the UPS or Fed Ex truck pull up out front.  We can’t wait to tear into the packages and find out what is inside!  Some packages are, obviously, more exciting than others.

Last week, one of those “extra exciting” packages arrived, via Fed Ex.  I was careful when opening this one  because I knew what was inside.  I couldn’t wait to see it and to hang it on my front porch. . .

 
Isn’t it gorgeous?!
I just love the way it looks against the bricks.

Have you ever had a live wreath?  This is the second time we’ve had one, and I just love them!  This one came from Wreaths of Maine and, not only is it beautiful, it is so well put together.  It’s very full and thick and constructed of lovely, healthy greenery (no brown stuff here!).  The “extras” give it a nice touch, I think.  The bow came packaged inside the wreath (so it wouldn’t get flattened during delivery) – it was very simple to attach it to the wreath with the wires.  I already had a nail on my porch, so I attached the wreath to that – took about 2 seconds and the results are gorgeous!

Living in the northeast (PA, to be exact), and having a front porch that only gets the morning sun, I know a live wreath can last all winter long here.  That makes it totally worth the pricetag, in my opinion! 

I was out shopping for a Christmas tree this weekend, and had opportunity to look at and price some Christmas wreaths as well.  I could have spent anywhere from $25 to $50 dollars on a store-bought wreath that was not nearly this thick and full and made from plastic (or other fake parts).  Sure, they might last from year to year (if properly stored), but they look cheap and somewhat tacky too. 

Wreaths of Maine offers a variety of wreath styles, ranging in price from $31 to $42 dollars.  In addition to the wreaths, they also have a swag, a spray, and pine roping available.  They’re all beautiful and made from fresh-cut greenery.  And the best part – they are made right here in the good old US of A!

 
A cute boy and a gorgeous wreath – nice combination!

As if the aromatic, balsam fir wreaths weren’t enough in and of themselves, there’s more . . .

Wreaths of Maine offers a great fundraiser program for homeschoolers (or anyone, really).  If you’ve got a young entrepeneur in your home – or a group that’s looking to make some extra cash – you should definitely look into this fundraising opportunity.  You can  go door-to-door, selling wreaths, and earning commissions.  This would be a super homeschool project for your kids – teaching them social skills and small  business – as well as giving them some extra holiday money.  Wreaths of Maine supplies all the paperwork you need for a successful fundraiser, including full-color brochures and carbon order forms.  I’d highly recommend this, and hope to use this fundraiser in our homeschool next fall. 

Don’t believe me?  Then head over to the Homeschool Crew blog and see what other members of the Crew have to say about these wreaths.  You can also learn more about Wreaths of Maine by visiting their website or Facebook page.

NOTE: I received the wreath pictured above in exchange for my posting about Wreaths of Maine here on my blog. I was not obligated to write a glowing review. All opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

from my family to yours . . .

Christmastime is here again – it’s time to write our letter.

We thought long and hard on what to write – and decided to go one better . . .

So, we offer you this poem – all about our year.

We hope you find it fun to read and it brings you a bit of cheer.



Brian still works at Campbell’s, crunching numbers every day.

He blows his whistle in the evenings when the basketball’s in play.

Heidi’s still a homeschool mom, working from home with joy.

She loves sharing her days with her two girls and one boy.



Ashley spends her days reading, writing, singing, and playing guitar.

She’s 16 now and waiting to drive – hoping the car will take her far!

Tenth grade is full of ups and downs, hard days and fun ones too.

The years are passing much too quickly – she’ll graduate in two!



Gracie enjoys doing math and lots of crafts and art.

She plays the piano quite well now and recently the violin did start.

Fifth grade is going well this year and passing quickly by.

It’s hard to believe she’ll be 10 in 6 months – my how time does fly.



This year, Ian has changed and grown and learned many new things

He entertains us every day – especially when he sings.

In school, he’s learning letters and numbers; in his spare time he plays with toys.

He teaches us so much each day – the fun of living with boys!



In January, we traveled to Florida to spend some time with Mickey Mouse.

In the spring, we worked on the attic of our 80-year-old brick house.

Now each child has their own room – their own extra special place.

Summer took us on day trips and Brian went to Iowa for the big race.



We visited the Historic Triangle in Virginia for a few days this fall.

Even the rain couldn’t stop us from exploring, learning, and having a ball.

We’ve been through some hard days and learned lessons galore -

About friends, church, and cancer, and waiting to see what God has in store.



Now 2009 is ending and we’re looking forward to 2010.

And we want to send this poem to our family and our friends.

May God bless you with a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a new year full of fun.

And, if at all possible, let’s get together this coming one!