Sticky Icky Booger Bugs by Sherry Frith Book Review!

Disclaimer: I was sent this product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed are my own. 

Sherry Frith wrote Sticky Icky Booger Bugs after her sons, Kory and Kevin, were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. She wanted to explain aspects of the disorder using words they could understand. Helped with colorful illustrations, and the knowledge they gained, they were able to deal with the sticky icky booger bugs using simple routines to keep their cystic fibrosis at bay. This story lets children know that they are loved, no matter what their medical situation may be. 

I was given the opportunity to review the book Sticky Icky Booger Bugs by Sherry Frith recently. I was very eager to receive the book to read to my four year old son. The book talks about cystic fibrosis and tells the tale of a young boy's battle with it as he attempts to avoid the hospital. His name is Kory and he is just like any other kid his age. He plays soccer, explores the neighborhood and loves recess. It explains how with every sneeze, puff, and cough how Kory keeps the sticky icky booger bugs away so he can have fun each and every day! 

This book is perfect for ages 0-7. It really opened my eyes to a lot of things about cystic fibrosis. I had no idea that 30,000 children are diagnosed each year and are battling it. There is also no cure for this progressive disease. This book really breaks this down to young children and allows them to see that although other kids may be different than you in someway you are all the same. It was illustrated to us clearly and through the words we were able to understand Kory's day to day activities and that he really  is just like any other child! 

My son loved reading this book as well as looking at the pictures. It is a great book to read to little ones. I highly recommend this book! Perfect read aloud book for at school as well. 

BUY IT!

http://www.amazon.com/Sticky-Icky-Booger-Sherry-Frith/dp/148080083X/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

"Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas" Veggies Tales DVD Review!

Disclaimer: I was sent this product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

My family and I love Veggie Tales! I grew up watching Veggie Tales as a kid and now my kids are growing up doing the same! Veggie Tales is a series of short movies that feature vegetables that talk and sing and dance! Every movie teaches a great lesson and brings the main focus on God and his love. 

I was given the opportunity to review the latest Veggie Tales DVD- "Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas". This DVD features Si Robertson from the tv series Duck Dynasty as Silas the Okra! He narrates the story of Merry Larry, a Christmas elf in a mall. He meets a young girl with a big heart who is spreading the true light of Christmas. Merry Larry goes on an adventure like none before and shows his town what Christmas is really all about! 

Check out the trailer for "Merry Larry and the True Light Of Christmas" right here! 

We watched this DVD together as a family when we received it in the mail. The boys loved it,especially Merry Larry and Silas the Okra! My four year old recognized Silas as Si from Duck Dynasty right away! It kept their attention the whole time and afterward we talked about the movie and what Christmas was all about! It was a great opportunity to talk about the birth of Jesus and the importance of remembering that Christmas is not just gifts and Santa and toys. 

"Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas" is the perfect holiday DVD for this season! It is funny and action packed but shares the true meaning of Christmas! It's one the whole family will enjoy! 

Buy It!

You can purchase Veggie Tales "Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas" as well as other great Veggie Tales products at www.veggietales.com!

Sale!

Now through December 2nd everything on the Veggie Tales website is 40% off! That includes the "Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas" DVD!! 

Strong Mom Series - Anonymous

I consider myself a "strong mom" because I take care of my children (ages 4 and 1) solo for a month while my husband works out of state. It is like this year around and he is only off and home for about 1.5 week at a time. It has been like this for as long as we have been together since 2007. All of my family lives across the country. All I have here are my children and some of his relatives that we do not see that often. It has been so hard, but we survive. I would like to tell you about my story and how I stay strong while raising my children while being somewhat of a "single" parent.

Our journey began when I was 18 and I got that positive pregnancy test! I was shocked, nervous, and excited. We were already planning to move across the country, but now we are moving and starting a life as a family of 3. I never even lived anywhere other than my small town, but now we were moving outside of a major city and what felt like a world away. I didn't know anyone there except for his family. I applied for a job, but quit before having my first born. It was very hard adjusting. I was depressed and felt lonely. Calls back home would get me through when he was at work as well as dinner at my in-laws' houses.

One day, I decided to join the BabyCenter community and that opened my eyes to other women who were pregnant and due when I was. This seriously was a saving grace for me. I met women who I could talk to, relate to and they became my friends. Almost 5 years later I am still friends with these ladies and they are some of my bestest friends today! They helped me get through some sad moments in my life as well as the best moments in my life! A few of them told me about meetup.com where you could go on there and find local moms in your area and connect for play dates, friendships etc. I was so thankful for that advice! I joined and made mom friends pretty quick. I'll just stop there for a second, are you seeing how having mom friends makes THE world of difference in your life? Before I became friends with ladies I could relate to I was so lonely and depressed. Fellow moms will lift you up when you need it and be the laughter that you need after a tantrum filled day. Have a good support system. Raising children really does take a village and do not be afraid to ask for help! I have this crazy pride issue, so sometimes I do not when I really need to more often.

We ended up moving again. This time I have met some great mom friends in my neighborhood and I am starting to become more outgoing about putting myself out there. I am so shy at first so that is hard for me, but you can't make friends and that village without trying to build it. I still at times feel lonely and wish I had what I would call a best friend that lived close by, but that's okay I have some pretty awesome ones that live close by so that's good enough! If you are going through something similar (single parenting, husband hectic work schedule, recent move, deployment) , I can not stress enough the importance of making mommy friends!

It was (and still is) very hard raising my children without their father home every day/night. Sometimes I get jealous of the families that have that luxury. But I remember that God never gives you anything more than you can handle. Never. I do things to stay busy. We go on play dates when we can, I reached out to neighbors who have children as well so the kids can play and I can be friends with the mom (very hard for me to do because I am an introvert!), go to the zoo, sports activities etc. It never really gets easier, but it's life and always how it's going to be. You could either complain and get down about your situation or you can make the most of it! I choose to make the most of it. I have to be strong for my children. They need that from me as a mother. Everything is for them. I feel like I am a strong mom because I suck up all of the loneliness feelings and I show my children that no matter the circumstance you can live a happy life. We make time to FaceTime with daddy (thank goodness for technology!) and talk to him often. I want my children to look back and see all that their mother (and father!) sacrificed, so that they can have a better life than we had. For that I am and know that I am a strong mother. There is no other choice but to be.

If you would like to share your story of how you are a strong mom please email me at mommyferg02 (at) gmail (dot) com! 

Tips for Purchasing Shoes Online {FitFlop Shoes Review}

Disclaimer: I was sent this product free of charge in exchange for my review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A good pair of shoes is a must. Whether you are on your feet all day at work or trying to keep the kiddos from destroying the store at the mall, you want good shoes that don't slow you down! I was given the opportunity to review the women's Due Leather Shoes from FitFlop Shoes and I have some tips for you for  finding a great pair of shoes, online,  that will get the job done! 

Look for your style

When hunting for a great shoe you want to shop somewhere that has a variety of styles that will fit you and your personality! You want that shoe that stands out at you! The one you can just imagine yourself wearing all the time and feeling like a million bucks in! FitFlop Shoes have a huge variety of shoes from sandals to flats to boots! All of their shoes are stylish so you are bound to find a pair that is just your style!

Get the right size

Making sure you purchase the correct size is, of course, very important. When purchasing in store you can usually just try the shoes on and make sure you get the right size, but when purchasing shoes online you can't do that. So the best thing to do when purchasing online is to look for a sizing guide. On the FitFlop Shoes website there is a sizing chart that you can click on every time you look at a different pair of shoes. The sizing chart has step by step instructions on how to measure your foot so you get the correct size. 

I thought I knew my shoe size and failed to check the sizing chart. When I received my shoes I quickly realized they are a tad too big, so it really is important to check the sizing chart when purchasing shoes so that you get a great fit every time! 

Comfort

Comfort is a huge aspect in finding a great pair of shoes! You want to be comfortable in them all day! Not just for an hour and then be miserable in them for the rest of the day! At FitFlop they call their shoes Caffeine for your Feet! Their shoes are designed to make your feet feel fantastic when you are wearing them! The shoes are biochemically engineered and built with specific technology to keep pain and pressure away! 

The shoes I received from FitFlop shoes are so comfortable! It's like my feet are standing on a bed! They are soft and comfortable, yet supportive! I don't really understand all the technology into how they create such great comfort but I can definitely feel it when wearing these shoes! I don't work so I'm not on my feet the entire day, but I imagine that if I was these shoes would be a great pair to wear for that! 

When purchasing shoes online if you look for these three things you should end up with a really great pair of shoes that you love! FitFlop shoes has so many great styles for both men and women and makes it easy for you to find something you will love and something that fits great! Their shoes are designed to be comfortable for you and stay comfortable for you throughout your day! FitFlop shoes not only are a great place to shop for yourself but would be a great place to find a great gift for someone special this holiday season! 

You can purchase these and so many other great styles at www.FitFlop.com! Be sure to check them out on Facebook as well! 

What pair of shoes are your favorite from the FitFlop website?

Stocking Stuffers from iPlay Baby! {Review and Giveaway!}

Disclaimer: I was sent these products in exchange for my review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Not-So-Secret Confessions of a Second Time Mom is not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their giveaways. 

Christmas is just over a month away and that means it's crunch time when it comes to shopping for Christmas gifts for family and friends! When it comes to our little ones we want items that are fun, safe, and useful! Green Sprouts and iPlay Baby have some awesome stocking stuffers for babies and toddlers that are all of these! 

I was given the opportunity to review a few items that would make perfect stocking stuffers for your toddler or baby! I was sent a the silicone baby toothbrush, training underwear, and disposable potty covers! Isaac just turned two so all of these were great for him! 

The silicone baby toothbrush is probably Isaac's favorite right now. He loves to brush his teeth! The silicone baby toothbrush is Nitrosamine free and made with tiny bristles to get tiny gums and teeth clean! It is easy for little hands to hold and is very durable and strong! 

We are just dipping our toes into potty training so the training underwear and the disposable potty covers came at just the right time! The training underwear is made with soft elastic and a waterproof interlining that is perfect for little ones learning to use the potty! The waterproof lining helps contain any leaks but allows the child to know when they are wet. The best part is they are reusable and can be washed in the washing machine! They come in four different sizes ranging from 18 months to 4T! Isaac is 24 pounds and the 24 month size fits him perfectly right now! He's been wearing these quite often since he has been showing a lot of interest in the potty recently! 

Little ones who are potty training obviously don't know how germy and dirty toilets can be and have to be taught these things. So while they are learning the disposable potty liners are great for going potty out in public! They are plant based, petroleum free, and made with antibacterial materials! They come in a resealable bag so they are perfect to just throw in the diaper bag and use when needed! 

All three of these items make great stocking stuffers! They are useful, fun for the kids, healthy, safe, and affordable! I can't think of anything better to put in my children's stockings than something that is useful and fun! 

Buy It!

You can purchase these and so many other great baby products at www.iplaybabywear.com 

Win It!

One lucky reader will win their choice of one of the three items I reviewed! (Silicone Baby Toothbrush, Training Underwear 2 pack, or Disposable Potty Liners)

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Only one entrant per household allowed. The giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen at random and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. 

JuicyDealz Holiday Giveaway!

Welcome to theJuicyDealz Holiday Giveaway! I am so excited to be participating in another great giveaway hosted by Thrifty Nifty Mommy and Viva Veltoro.

JuicyDealz is a brand new, up-and-coming daily boutique and handmade deals site. Founded by husband and wife team Cat and Andy, JuicyDealz stemmed from a simple idea: create a dynamic, online marketplace featuring an eclectic mix of American-based artisans and small businesses offering fabulous items at great prices. Every day, a new crop of deals pops up. You can follow JuicyDealz on Facebook to get sneak peeks of upcoming deals and subscribe to their daily email so you won’t miss a thing! Be it designer-inspired jewelry, personalized note cards, infinity scarves, trendy women’s clothing, accessories, home goods, or stuff for the kiddos, each and every day brings a new treasure trove of unique finds. You’ll need to purchase quickly as most of the deals only last 3-4 days and can sell out fast! You’ll feel good every time you make a purchase because you are getting not only a super unique, fun, and often one-of-a-kind product (at an incredible price!), but you are also helping to support a small business owner who is striving to support their family, while doing what they love. It is the passion, creativity, and hospitality of these amazing entrepreneurs that make up the heart of JuicyDealz, bringing you fresh, fun, and affordable deals every day. 

One LUCKY person will WIN a gorgeous jewelry collection from JuicyDealz worth over $300!

Just in time for the holidays, this amazing prize package includes an incredible assortment of stunning and unique jewelry (infinity bracelets, statement necklaces, designer-inspired jewelry, sports mom bracelets, owl earrings, watches and more!). Perfect for stocking stuffers, gifts, or to keep for yourself. Please note, actual prize package may vary slightly from what you see pictured above but will include items that are equally lovely!

This giveaway is open to the US only, ages 18 and up, and ends on 12/2/13 at 11:59 PM EST.

Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below. Good Luck!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Prize fulfillment is solely the responsibility of JuicyDealz and not the participating bloggers. Giveaway is open to residents of the US states, age 18+. Giveaway will close at 11:59 PM EST on 12/2/13. 1 winner will be selected and will be contacted by email. If you have any additional questions, feel free to send an email to thriftyniftymommy (at) yahoo.com. If you're interested in having your company or products featured with a giveaway like this, please contact thriftyniftymommy{at}yahoo.com.

Christine's Essential Oils - DoTerra Balance Blend Review!

Disclaimer: I was sent this product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It was just this year that I started to hear more about essential oils and all their benefits. I was interested so I did some research and talked to some friends who used them regularly. Over the summer I made my first essential oils purchase and got some Lavender and Tea Tree Oil to try! Now I use essential oils every day! I just love them and all their benefits and how great they make me feel! So I was super excited when I was contacted by Christine, a DoTerra Essential Oils consultant and given the opportunity to review the Balance Blend! 

Balance Blend is made with frankincense  spruce, rosewood, and blue tansy and blended together perfectly to create a true calming affect. It gives off a woody aroma that can either be diffused or used topically. My favorite way to use it topically is to put a few drops in my palms and rub them together and then rub the back of my neck. 

I'm a very busy mom. I have my two little boys who always seem to have a full supply of energy! I have a house to keep clean, laundry to keep up with, and meals to cook! On top of that I have my blog and my crochet business! I am always busy! When things start to get super busy I get in to what I call "panic mode". which is basically when I freak out and get really anxious and tense. 

When I first started using essential oils I would use lavender when I felt overwhelmed and anxious. It would help me relax but it makes me sleepy too. When I started using Balance I noticed I didn't feel sleepy at all when I put it on. Instead I just felt calm. It's really awesome how it works. I can feel tense and anxious and then just rub some on the back of my neck and within a few minutes my muscles start to relax and I don't feel so tense anymore. I can focus on what needs to be done and get it done, instead of having an anxiety attack over how much I have to do. It really does help! 

If you are a busy parent, busy at work, or just suffer from anxiety and tension Balance Blend could be the relief you are looking for! I just love how it's a natural way to ease my tension and relieve my anxiety! I never thought essential oils would be so helpful in so many parts of my life, including stress! 

There are so many other great essential oils out from DoTerra that I want to try! Another blend I am planning on getting is the OnGaurd blend! It keeps the germs away and boosts immunity which is something we all need during these cold winter months! 

Do you use essential oils? How have they helped you in your every day life? 

Buy It!

You can purchase the Balance Blend and other DoTerra Essential Oils from Christine's Website! 

Also check out Christine's Essential Oils on Facebook!