Disney's "Planes" Teaches Bravery. ($100 Fandango Giftcard Giveaway)

Bravery is powerful.

Bravery should be celebrated. Embraced. Cultivated. Pursued. And taught.

Our children benefit from being brave and trying new things and following those passions that they are gifted with. When I was asked to consider writing a review about the Disney Movie Planes about bravery and courage and how to teach it to my children I jumped on board. Why? Because I want to push my children to be brave and to believe in themselves.

Often it's the little things, the little moments of courage that define our lives.

When we were at the lake a dog came running down on the dock. My daughter, Grace, really doesn't care for dogs. Especially big dogs who came running onto a dock unexpectedly. All the kids stood up and Grace hid behind her younger brother Brennan. Brennan was initially a bit irritated that she was behind him. I told him, Brennan she's behind you because to her you're protecting her. With that statement he broadened his stance and a smile came across his face.

He was brave. Courageous.

I was asked to identify with a character in the upcoming movie Planes that I believe relates to my parenting style. Well, I love teaching my children that level of braveness and courage. Sometimes it means standing in front of your sister protecting her and other times it might be dealing with your own fears and overcoming them. So of course I related to Dusty, the main character of Planes. He's afraid of heights. Is the underdog. Is the one who has to deal with his own fears. And yet, through the support of great friends, he is able to conquer those fears.

Do you know what I love? That he wasn't just doing it on his own.

It took support from friends.

And that is what I want to teach my children. There are so many ways to be courageous and brave. But, when you have support and when you can give support it is much easier to be courageous.

The same week at the lake that same son of mine discovered he was even more brave. There's a swimming raft out deep and he's been wanting to go out there all week. Finally on Friday, his sisters convinced him to swim with them out there with his lifejacket on. They were his support. They were like the character Chug who believed in Dusty even when he doubted himself. So Brennan did. He swam to that raft and discovered that the very thing he was afraid of was now a delightful wonderful thing.

And the beauty? His sisters were there with him. Celebrating his success.

That's what I love about Planes. It's not about one person just being courageous - it's about a beautiful network of characters rallying around a friend.

And they all grow. They all learn their own lessons in bravery.

These are the movies I want my kids watching and learning from. I want them to be brave. I want them to know that it's okay to be afraid - fear is normal - and that it is excellent to try. I want them to be the friend who believes in others. I want them to not cut corners and to do things right. Is there a perfect way to teach bravery?

No. Just like there isn't a perfect way to parent.

It's instead different for each kid and each situation and each moment. But what is the same? The belief in our children. The standing on the sidelines cheering. That matters. And that's why we'll be watching Planes.

And besides, we love Cars, and well, it would be a given that it will be watched in this household. :)

Want to win a $100 Fandango Giftcard courtesy of Disney and Blogher? All you need to do is answer this question in the comments and you will be immediately entered.

How do you challenge your children to follow their dreams?

(Make sure to visit the official Disney Planes site and check out the Facebook page and Twitter page)

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the
following unique term in your tweet message: ""#SweepstakesEntry""; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post"
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/15 - 8/12.
Be sure to visit the Disney Planes page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

I "Won't Back Down." Will you? {review & giveaway}

Many of you know my story and the incredible fight it was to get Samuel diagnosed with Celiac Disease. For months I had watched my little toddler fade away in front of me with no answer, no one really listening, and yet, I knew as his mother something was wrong.

The defining moment in my fight? The moment when I wouldn't back down? I was in the hospital. They were going to discharge Samuel and were telling me he was only sick because he was in a large family and was exposed to more germs.

Yet, I knew he was sick. The room was empty, and I was crying while I stared at my toddler sleeping on a bed besides me. I felt helpless. At that moment a nurse walked into the room, looked at me, and heard me exclaim, "Please, please...he needs help."

She grabbed my hands, looked me squarely in the eyes, and told me, "You sit yourself down. Your boy is really sick. You must fight for him. Do not leave. But fight." Something shifted.

I fought. I fought and fought and fought. And we got a diagnosis. And I still fight - for all the other mothers who are sitting in hospital rooms or in bedrooms or in clinics wondering what is wrong with their child and are begging for a simple Celiac lab draw that should be standard screening for all children.

That? That is where I'm not backing down.

I will not stop talking about Celiac Disease. I will not stop pushing for screening of Celiac Disease. I will not stop writing about gluten-free living and Celiac Disease. This? This is part of my responsibility as his mother. I won't back down.

The new Fox movie, Won't Back Down {release date September 28, 2012}, starring Oscar Nominees Maggie Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Rosie Perez and Academy Award Winner Holly Hunter, tells the story of two determined mothers {Gyllenhaal and Davis} whose minds are set on changing the system - the schools that their children attend.

They faced overwhelming obstacles and a system of bureaucracy for their children. It is a story of mothers taking a stand. Not backing down. There's a line in the movie - about having one life to live - that resonated deeply with me.

We've got today. Today, and we can make a difference. We can't live in regret, worry, and remorse - instead we need to live empowered and not backing down for those in our lives and taking a stand for what we believe in and know is right. We can make a difference.

I can make a difference in the Celiac Disease Community. I can push for Celiac Screening as needed screening for children.

You? You can make a difference as well. Maybe you talk to the mom alone at the park. Maybe you organize a school supply drive for a needy school. Maybe your city needs a safer park. Maybe you want better health options. Maybe. Make maybe a reality.

Consider going to see Won't Back Down with a group of friends on September 28. You can purchase group tickets on their Facebook page . And make sure to stay up to date with trailers and information on the Won't Back Down Facebook Page. Do me a favor - like their page - and let's stand together supporting moms who believe in an issue and won't back down.

Watch the powerful Won't Back Down trailer - I get a bit teary watching these mothers fight for what they believe in. And then when you're done, enter below for a chance to win one of two $40 Fandango gift cards. That's right, I'm blessed to be able to give away two gift cards to one of you!

Moms, we can make a difference in this world. We can be courageous, fight, share, and not back down. Truly we can.

To be entered to win one of two $40 Fandango Gift Cards simply answer the question below:
How can you be an agent for change in your community?
What gives you courage?

Official Rules: No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: ""#SweepstakesEntry""; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post" c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 9/5/12-9/30/12. Be sure to visit the Won't Back Down brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts and find more chances to win!

Drink your Capri Sun Super V! And $1000 Gift Card Giveaway!

Title: Drink your Capri Sun Super V! And $1000 Visa gift card Giveaway

In our home I'm pretty strict about the food that we eat and want to make our options healthy. But I also have kids - seven of them - and they want their food to taste good, to look cool, and to be fun. And, shhhh, I really like it for my kids to get their vegetables.

Since my almost three year old Samuel has Celiac Disease and can't eat gluten, I like to look for products that allow his normal to match the normal of his six siblings. I want his food to be just as fun and to not feel limiting. And I also need it to help supplement his diet and to provide that much-needed, extra nutritional boost.

Now there is one thing my kids love, beg, and hope will make it into the many grocery bags entering our home every week. That item? The single serve juice. And sigh, for years I've avoided purchasing this item as they've been loaded with other stuff that my growing {and energetic} kids didn't need.

That being said, my kids still want to have fun and cool food options and are thrilled when the juice enters our home. And I'm thrilled when I find juice that provides nutrients, like fiber, that makes them happy and me confident in my healthy mom choices.

The solution? Capri Sun Super V .

The secret weapon? Vegetables. Added to the drink. 1/4 veggies, 3/4 fruit. Perfection.

The super secret weapon? It tastes amazing, and those fab kids of mine absolutely love it! Here's the cool info - a pouch of Super V {make sure to visit their awesome site to learn more} contains a combined serving of fruits/veggies and 25% comes from the veggies incorporated into the drink.

I didn't tell my kids about the veggies when I gave them the pouch of Super V they had been begging for since the juice arrived. No, instead, I gave them the highly sought after container of Super V, watched them enjoy it with their snack {we had popcorn}, and then proceeded to tell them that the drink had a secret weapon - vegetables. Then they asked for another.

In my eyes? A success. Cool factor? Taken care of. Fruits and Veggies? As well. Well done, Capri Sun Super V, well done. So moms, now you can buy the cool Capri Sun drink and feel great about getting the healthy and cool choice. You can go right ahead and watch your kids jump for joy while sitting back knowing that they're getting that serving of fruits and veggies. That is the sought after win-win in food choices - kids love it/tastes great coupled with the healthy mom choice.

By the way, as long as we're chatting about healthy snacks, here's a list of ten of our favorite simple gluten free snacks that pair fabulously with Super V.

popcorn sprinkled with Parmesan cheese

sliced apples with peanut butter to dip

fresh cucumbers sprinkled with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar

organic corn chips with fresh salsa

toasted gluten free bread with butter and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar

tomato slices or if you're my boys a whole tomato from my garden

carrots and celery with sour cream ranch dip

trail mix {make your own or make sure it is gluten free}

gluten free pretzels with honey mustard dip

gluten free rice crackers with slices of cheddar cheese

Now for the super fun sweepstakes sponsored by BlogHer for a $1000 Visa Gift Card and a $500 runner up Gift Card. Simply comment below answering this question.

How do you incorporate fruits and veggies into your kids' diets?

Learn more about the new Capri Sun Super V on Facebook and check out BlogHer.com to find more Capri Sun Super V reviews!

Rules: No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. Entries from all participating blogs will be pooled for winner selection; only two entries per household. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 8/16/2012-9/16/2012. Be sure to visit the sponsor's brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Finally, just for fun, a video of Brennan discovering {by quickly reading the label} that Super V contains my secret weapon - vegetables. Enjoy and enter to win below! Thank you BlogHer&Capri Sun Super V!

042 from Rachel Martin

6:45 looked so good on paper.

If you are reading this in the morning chance are I am high in the sky somewhere between Minnesota and New York City.

If you are reading this later in the the day, then most definitely I am in New York City attending the Blogher Conference. Deep breath. I can do it, right? Attend a conference with over 4000 women in attendance? Deeper breath {as I'm reaching for a paper bag to breathe into}.

Being real. It's a huge blessing for me to be able to attend. I'm able to network, to learn, to grow, to laugh, and to connect with other bloggers. And, I'm also given an opportunity to connect with brands and companies - and part of what I connect with and about is Celiac Disease Awareness and gluten free options. Huge blessing. I mean, seriously, look at that face of my Samuel. I consider it an honor to be able to share our story and to encourage awareness.

My kids are all excited because I'm going to the Big Apple. I think they believe that I have all of this amazing time to site see, try food, and wander around {I am hoping to squeeze in just a bit of sight seeing}. When, in reality it will be this whirlwind rush of information and I will be one exhausted writer.

Which brings me to 6:45 am.

It looked great when I booked the ticket. Leave at 6:45? No big deal.  Except for now, as I type this at 11:17 at night I've realized that in the morning I will be getting up at 4:15 to make it to the airport to catch that flight to New York City.  Too early.

So, today, if you think of me I'd love your prayers and good wishes {feel free to leave me an encouraging comment - even if it's like you'll do great Rachel, here's a paper bag to breathe into}. This trip? This is me moving way out of my comfort zone. But, honestly, I don't want to live life wondering what if or why didn't I so because of that I got up {or will be getting up} at 4:15 and boarded a plane and flew to New York City.

Ready. Set. Go.

I can't wait to share it all with you.
{And just so you know Friday Favorite Things will still be going -- I'm hoping to share some sweet instagram pics with you all from my first day.}

Looking for some reading? Try these favorite posts of mine: 60 {simple} Ways to Reclaim Your Day, 20 Motherhood Tips, Awake {which is Day 1 of my 10 Days of Intentional Parenting Series}, and Grumbling Mom Learns a Lesson.

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the chaperone. {a blogher book club review}

I did something amazing a couple weeks ago.

I sat down, grabbed a book, opened it up, stayed up way too late, and read it. It wasn't a how-to book, or a cookbook, or a planning book, or a homeschooling book, or a book about planning. It was a historical fiction book that I loved. In fact, as I just wrote, I stayed up much, much, much too late reading Laura Moriarty's words in The Chaperone.

image courtesy of blogher

Set in the 1920's The Chaperone chronicles the lives of two women - two women that ultimately would struggle to discover self - as they travel to New York City. The one, portrayed as the one with the life all together is Cora, the chaperone, who was sent to protect and guard the feisty Louise Brooks as she travels to pursue her dream of dancing. I started thinking it would be a book about Louise, and yet, here I was drawn into the life of Cora.

She was a woman, a determined woman, who lived her life behind the mask of perfectionism and yet lived that way attempting to maintain normal within the confines of society. It was an engaging, challenging, and thought-provoking look into the 1920s culture and the mindsets that prevailed. I've always enjoyed historical fiction, and Moriarty skillfully paints a realistic and intriguing picture of the 1920s and beyond.

This book reminded me that, sigh, yes, I think I'll have to grab a book again and curl up with my cup of tea late at night and simply read again. Tired is okay sometimes.

To read more about The Chaperone pop on over to Blogher's Now Reading Book Club.

Disclosure: I was provided a copy of The Chaperone as part of the Blogher Book Club. All opinions are my own and no other compensation was provided. The image used is property of Blogher.

the dove challenge - a review and $500 spa finder giveaway

Grin. Confession time. I am was a wash with water only kind of gal. For some reason, I've forgotten the fact that with each passing day I'm also getting a day older and have kind of neglected some important things like skin care. And now, today, when I'm inbetween those 30s and 40s but getting closer to the latter {shhhh} I've begun to realize that I must start taking care of that sun kissed skin of mine and need products that work.

Enter Dove Body Wash. With the tagline: Visibly more beautiful skin from a body wash. Enter me. In need of some serious summer skin help - after all there aren't any winter coats and snowpants and boots and all of that to grab when it's over 90 degrees outside. Plus, I love that word renewing. I'm in the need of some skin renewing over here.

I am so thankful that I got a chance to review this revolutionary premium body wash from Dove. Because, again, confession - I'm the gal that can spend a good 24.3 minutes in Target standing in the body wash aisle trying to figure out what to buy and probably sending the Target security guy to head over and check out what that gal with the diapers, gluten free cereal, t-shirt, 2 pounds of grapes, and packs of 25cent Back to School Crayons is doing stalled in the beauty section. Yeah, that would be me.

So, I thought to myself, this is a good chance for me to try a product, that I'm needing, and it's a product that I already know and have high opinion of. Send me the Dove! And they did - the brown ups truck shows up, hands the package, the kids jump up and down and there it is - my Dove. And perfect timing, as we were going to the lake where they have hard water {or no power}and most times I come home with skin that is dry and scratchy like the sand we've been playing in.

Not this time. Nope.

Difference? Dove Visible Care Body Wash.

The challenge? To see if there was any difference in my skin in one week - and grin - I chose the week at the lake. The hardest week of the year on my skin - sun, swimming, hard water - and Dove won. I came home better than I left and I'm thanking it to NutriumMoisture technology - that's what they call it - I call it amazing good stuff that works and makes me feel great. And young.

So Dove, you've convinced this momma of seven who used to get stuck in Target trying to figure out what body wash to buy - that now I'm sticking you in my cart. 

Want to grab your own bottle of Dove to try? Grab this coupon for $1 off - Visit Dove^® VisibleCare^® to get a coupon for $1 off! - and feel like a coupon diva. Because, sigh, my other thing at Target is hating the  mumbling no when they ask if I have any coupons - and now you can proudly say why yes, yes I do and hand them over your Dove coupon.

Just so you know there are three kinds of this wash: New Dove® VisibleCare Toning Crème Body Wash { promotes skin’s elasticity and strength}, Renewing Body Wash {nourishes and replenishes skin}, and Softening Body Wash {softens skin and dry spots}. Make sure to visit Dove  to find out more. 

Now for the fab giveaway portion {sponsored by Blogher and Dove} - read their direction carefully please!

Just tell me why you need that $500 Spafinder gift certificate - that's the prompt {please remember the sponsored directions}

Enter to win one of two $500 Spafinder gift certificates!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
COMMENTS TO THIS POST ARE NOT SWEEPSTAKES ENTRIES. 
PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR ENTRY METHODS FOR THIS SWEEPSTAKES.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Follow this link, and provide your email address and your response to the Promotion prompt
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that Tweet.
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that post.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age
18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. Winners will have 72 hours to claim the prize, or an alternative winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/18/2012 - 8/22/2012

Be sure to visit the Dove^® VisibleCare™ Crème Body Wash brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Thanks Blogher and thank you Dove!

disclosure: this is a sponsored review by blogher and dove. all opinions and pictures are my own. 

packing it up {celebrate today} #fridayfaves

Let's see, it's 10:45 pm and I'm just now sitting down to write my favorites from the week. It's been one of those weeks, with the anticipation of vacation building with each day and the work load that I must do building right along with it. And that leads me to here, sitting on my couch in a home that feels much too cold {the air conditioner is running} while the world outside feels much too muggy and hot.

Yet, even in this crazy packing up our life week, there have been many blessings that I just want to share with you all. Blessings about family, and joy, and how the little things truly do matter. You know that, right? It's the little things that make life meaningful. When I think about our trips to the lake - it's the little moments that have created this nostalgic memory of summers spent sitting around campfires, and building sand castles on the beach, and fishing with my kids.

They remember the fireflies, the cereal we bought, the sparklers, playing cards at Grandma's cabin, the walks at Lake Itasca, and the crazy pile of stuff to load in the truck that always looks like it won't fit but their mother {me} does a tetris type pack and makes it all fit. That's the stuff that matters.

Celebrate life.

Celebrate today.

Look for the little joys in the midst of your day. A smile from your toddler, flowers blooming in the yard, an extra hour of sleep, a note from a friend - and record them. Friday Favorite Things is a record of the beauty, the joy, and the connected moments of life.

These are my favorite things.

fishing poles
lined up on my deck
waiting for the evening
when they'll instead be on the boat

blogher
my article
dear anonymous. why blogging matters.
{that's the link}
was syndicated today on their site.
this is such an honor.
and blogging does matter.

concentration and crayons

somehow watching the intense look on

my little elijah's face

brings such joy to my heart.

i'm grateful to be able to bless him with

moments to explore and learn and be four.

121+emails and family
can I just tell you I love my family?
We play this card game at the lake
and we've made up rules
so between my siblings and parents and my kids
we've exchanged over 120 emails finalizing the official rules
and my Hannah made the graphic.
yep, that's us.
And I love it.

striped jammie pants

could samuel get any cuter?
and those colors?
sigh.
{we were going through the beach stuff for the lake}
this picture just makes me smile.

the swingset

we are in need of a new swingset

{and I mean in need}

but until then

I am grateful for the old swingset in the back

that creates this much joy.

swing, Caleb, swing.

elijah, the thinker

i am always wondering what goes on in his head

he tells the most fabulous stories ever

and i think he really believes some of them

like when he told me he got up in the middle of the night to defeat the robbers

and stuff like that.

grin.

my new photographer

ever since hannah purchased her new camera

she's blessed both chloe and i with extra time to use

her previous rebel.

gathering from the love of photos

taken by my chloe

i'm guessing have another photographer in the family.

the beauty of lettuce

i'm serious

this year the lettuce from my garden has been delicious.

our family has been enjoying lovely salads

almost every day right now.

who knew lettuce {and those two radishes}would be that great?
or that vibrant and beautiful?

and that?

this week's 

friday favorite things.

How about you? What are your favorite things?
To join Friday Favorite Things - and I hope you do - it's intentional gratitude
1.Write your own post or link a favorite post from the week
2. Grab the button or link back here {thank you}
3. Add your link below and join the favorite things on Friday fun.
4. Take a minute to visit others who have linked and build community. #fridayfaves

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