Announcing......

...the WINNER of the Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVD Collection!!!!!!

Congratulations to entry #35!!!!!

CHRISTINA F!!!!!

Many thanks to all of my readers who entered.  Don't forget that I have an AWESOME CSN Stores $40 giveaway going on AND stay tuned for a few more giveaways coming SOON!!!

Bonus Entry for my Giveaways!!!

Have you entered one of my giveaways????  How would you like an EXTRA entry???  As a "Thank You" for stopping by my blog today, you can have an extra entry into both of the giveaways!  Just comment on the post for each giveaway and type "BLESSED" as your comment.  Don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!  :-)  (Make sure you leave your comment on the post for the giveaway and not on this post or it won't count!)

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a BLESSED day!!!

Jersey Night in Children's Choir

Tonight was Jersey Night in children's choir at church!!  Mallory wore her daddy's old Bronco's jersey that he wore in 4th grade!!  She looked so precious!!!  Here she is with Miss Kim, her choir director.

The kids had fun learning their scripture verse, "He gives us the Victory"!  It was a fun night.

Me and my sweet angel

Don't forget to enter my TWO giveaways!!!  The Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVD Collection giveaway ends tomorrow night!!!  Both giveaways are listed in the sidebar!! ------>

Picnic Dinner, X-Ray, Two-Buggy Fun, and School Lunch

The cooler temperatures have been a welcome blessing to East Texas!!!  One night last weekend, we went to Chick fil A with my parents.  The air conditioner inside Chick fil A was running full blast and it was FREEZING in there, so we took advantage of the wonderful temps and sat outside.  Of course the kids enjoyed that, but listening to Papa read the book that came in the kids meal was the best part of dinner!

Mallory stayed home from school 4 days last week with a viral infection in her throat!  She had fever, a terrible sore throat and lost her voice!  It was no fun!  We went to the doctor on Wednesday and she was tested for strep throat.  That came back negative so Dr. Barret sent us home and said unfortunately since it was a virus there was no medicine for her.  :-(  On Thursday night, Mallory seemed worse, so we went back to see Dr. Barret on Friday afternoon.  Her throat was better but with the symptoms she was having, Dr. Barret was afraid she could have a little pneumonia!  That's scary for a mommy to hear!  He sent us to get a chest x-ray.  :-(

Mallory had to put on a hospital gown (adult size!) for the x-ray.  She was so brave and handled it so well.  Mommy, on the other hand, was so nervous and upset that my baby girl was having to experience any of it.  We praise the Lord for a perfectly clear chest x-ray!!!!!  Dr. Barret called us within 15 minutes and told us the good news.  We continued to treat Mallory's fever with Tylenol and she started feeling like herself again on Saturday.  We stayed home from church on Sunday to give Mallory time to rest AND because I started getting sick - bad sore throat and yucky sinuses!!  :-(  Little Jack and Brad have stayed well, so I'm praying they don't come down with it too!

Monday afternoon, we went to Target to get Mallory some new shoes.  I think she's grown ten feet over the summer!  The kids enjoyed riding in what Mallory calls the "two-buggy".  You know the one... it's the LONG buggy with seats for two kids.  And, it's always rattly and horrible to push around, but the kids LOVE it so our shopping experiences are much better when I endure the squeaks and rattles!  :-)

Yesterday I had lunch at school with Mallory for the very first time.  Her school has a neat little picnic area outside, so we ate out there.  She was SO excited and told all her friends!  Her class eats lunch at 10:30, so instead of a regular "lunch", I surprised her with Chick fil A ChickN Minis!!!  She LOVES them and considers them a BIG TREAT! 

Don't forget to enter my TWO giveaways listed on my sidebar!!!!  They'll both be ending soon!  :-)

Be on the lookout for God's blessings today!!  We all have so much to be thankful for!!  :-)

CSN Stores $40 GIVEAWAY!!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

If you've been around Burkett Blessings very long, you know how much I love CSN Stores!  I have won several of their giveaways from various blogs, but have also been selected to be a CSN Stores Preferred Blogger!  That means, I have been given the opportunity to host many CSN Stores reviews and giveaways on my blog!!!!  Well, CSN has contacted me again and wants to offer $40 to a Burkett Blessings reader to put towards anything in their 200+ online stores!!!  WOO-HOO!!!! 

CSN Stores has a huge variety of products.  Check out this precious nightstand!

Isn't it beautiful?!?!  This is just one of MANY nightstands they have available!

Mallory has her heart set on this adorable iron and ironing board!  CSN Stores has a huge selection of children's toys and games!

And, I'm just drooling over this precious crib bedding and accessories!!!

And, since I absolutely ADORE all things monogrammed.... check out this personalized book sling - available in several color choices!!!  It's one of TONS of personalized items they have available.

Or, check out this beautiful Christmas dinnerware!!!  Oh, I just love stuff like this!

CSN Stores has it all!!!!  Now, how would you like to win $40 to put on ANYTHING you want from any of the 200+ CSN stores?!?!?!?  I must let you know that the $40 does not apply to shipping, but there are MANY things at CSN that have free shipping!!!

Here's how to enter...

Main entry: Visit CSN Stores and check out all they have to offer! Then come back here and leave a comment telling me something you'd love to have if you won! (Make sure you leave your email address, or have it visible in your profile, so I can contact you if you win.)

Extra Entries: (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

- Follow my blog via Google Friends Connect (1 entry)

- Subscribe to my blog via email (2 entries)

- Grab my button for your blog (2 entries)

- Post this giveaway on your own blog and link back to this post - please leave your blog address in your comment (3 entries)

- Link up this giveaway in a giveaway linky - comment with which blog you linked it up with (3 entries)

This giveaway will end Monday, October 4th at 9:00pm CST. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified through email as well as announced on this blog. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.

Good luck!!!

***Disclaimer - I did not receive anything in return for this post. The opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way.***

Scholastic Treasures DVD Reviews and GIVEAWAY!!!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Ya'll, I am just crazy about Scholastic Storybook Treasures!!!  Lately they have announced the release of some of the most wonderful children's videos!  I have been blessed to review some of them and offer a giveaway, too!!!!  Keep reading to see all the details!!

First of all, Mallory, Jack, and I reviewed "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!... And More Stories by Mo Willems.  When a city bus driver takes a break from his route, a very unlikely volunteer springs up to take his place: a pigeon! And, despite the bird’s impressive technical know-how, the bus driver doubts the pigeon can handle the bus. So, as the bus driver heads out the door, he appeals to the audience: “Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus!”. And when Pigeon’s relentless arguments in his favor eventually dissolve into a full-flown, feathers-flying tantrum, will he get his wish?  You've just got to check it out and see!!!

I actually caught myself laughing out loud at "Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale".  It wasn't even the main feature, but it definitely caught my attention and was so true-to-life!  And, in the bonus live-action feature "Mo and Pigeon Visit a School," Mr. Willems reads his book before an audience of children and teaches them how to draw the pigeon.  Mallory and Jack both loved this entire dvd and watched it over and over.  This precious dvd has a run time of 49 minutes plus extras and will be in stores on September 28th, 2010.

The other dvd set we reviewed was THE RALPH MOUSE COLLECTION!!!  This is a 3-dvd set!!!  I don't know about you, but Beverly Cleary's The Mouse and the Motorcycle was my all-time favorite chapter book as a child.  I loved hearing my 4th grade teacher read this story aloud to the class and could just picture Ralph zooming around the hotel room on Keith's toy motorcycle. 

The other two dvd's in this set include Ralph S. Mouse and Runaway Ralph.  Each of these dvd's adds more thrills, chills, and spills to Ralph's wild adventures.  I love the live action and dimensional animation in each of these videos.  No wonder they've been awarded the prestigious Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video.

Along with some great life lessons, these videos promote early literacy skills.  And they have Scholastic's innovative read-along function which allows children to follow along with the narrator, promoting a love of reading.  This dvd set will be in stores on September 28, 2010 for a retail price of $24.95.  They have a running time of 3 hours, 15 minutes plus extras and are best for ages 3 to 9.

Now for the exciting news!!!!!  Thanks for Beth Blenz-Clucas and Foundry Communications, one lucky winner will get to receive all 3 dvd's in THE RALPH MOUSE COLLECTION!!!!

Here's how to enter...

Main entry: Visit Scholastic Storybook Treasures and check out all they have to offer! Then come back here and leave a comment telling me something you liked. (Make sure you leave your email address, or have it visible in your profile, so I can contact you if you win.)

Extra Entries: (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

- Follow my blog via Google Friends Connect (1 entry)

- Subscribe to my blog via email (2 entries)

- Grab my button for your blog (2 entries)

- Post this giveaway on your own blog and link back to this post - please leave your blog address in your comment (3 entries)

- Link up this giveaway in a giveaway linky - comment with which blog you linked it up with (3 entries)

This giveaway will end Thursday, September 30th at 9:00pm CST. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified through email as well as announced on this blog. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.

Good luck!!!

***Disclaimer - I received these products for review purposes only. The opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way.***

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Jesus Loves Me

It's time for my favorite post of the week!  I just love music and I love sharing wonderful songs with you.  This is one of my all-time favorites and it's sung by one of my all-time favorite groups. I love the Gaithers and the old time classic songs they sing.  Sit back, sing along, and be blessed.  Jesus Loves Me.  Oh, thank you, Lord.



Make sure you check out all the other wonderful songs that are being shared today at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders.  You will be blessed!

Fabulous Friday - Wanna Win Some Prizes???

Happy Friday everyone!!!!  Do you know what Friday means to me?  Well, it means LOTS of things, but one thing I love is that TODAY is MEGA SWAGBUCKS DAY!!!  For those of you who are my facebook friends and you're constantly seeing that I've earned swagbucks as my status, well this is what it's all about!  On Fridays, you can earn Swagbucks in increments of 10, 20, 50, and even 100!!! Woo-hoo!

I know that some of my blog followers have gotten on the Swagbucks bandwagon and are doing quite well.  But, if you haven't tried Swagbucks yet, you're seriously missing out. You can earn great prizes (amazon, sephora, disney, macy's, starbucks, iphones, lots of other electronics!), gift cards, and even cash for doing something you already do - searching the internet!  Would you believe that I earned over $50 in CASH in the past 6 months?!?!  I DID!!!  It was all $5 Paypal giftcards that were deposited directly into my Paypal account.  Ya'll... that's Christmas money!!!

How do I earn my swagbucks so quickly? I downloaded the Swagbucks toolbar and use it for every single search I do. I even use it to find websites that I already know the address for - just like facebook and my blog that I go to many times a day.  Swagbucks is powered by Google, so it's the same quality search engine that Google is! But unlike Google, you win prizes when you search using Swagbucks.

Because today is Mega Swag Bucks day, it's the perfect day to start earning swagbucks! Be sure to sign up and download the swagbucks toolbar. Click HERE to sign up AND be given 30 swagbucks as a sign up bonus! As always, let me know if you have any questions or if you're already earning swagbucks, let me know what you think about it!

****UPDATE!!!!  Swagbucks has been overloaded with visitors today and the website is down for maintenance.  They should be back up soon, so please check back.  :-)

Mallory's Room Makeover

Mallory's room finally got a makeover!!!  For the past 3 years, Mallory has been using the hand-me-down bedding and accessories that I had used in college.  It was a beautiful Croscill set, but it was worn out.  When we found this precious quilt the other day, Mallory fell in love with it! 

Here's her new room!!!!

It's a beautiful purple, pink, and green quilt covered in appliqued pink tulips, purple flowers, and butterflies.  The lilac, ruffled bedskirt completes the bed.

It just says SWEET and GIRLY to me.

I especially love the curtains.  They have ruffled trim trailing down all over them and are tied back with big purple bows.

This little lamp was a must-have!  It has the same ruffled detail that is on the curtains.

And, would you look at how perfectly it matches her sweet little table and chairs Nana and Papa gave her for Christmas 4 years ago?!?!  We couldn't have asked for a more complete look!

Mallory LOVES it and is so proud of her new room.  I think it's pretty cute, too.  It's just perfect for my little princess.

Christmas is Coming and Advertising Opportunity

Can ya'll believe Christmas is just right around the corner?  Somebody told me that there's only 95 shopping days left!  Holy cow!  It's still 90+ degrees in Texas, so it's especially hard to think about Christmas and get in the Christmas mode right now.  But, regardless of the temperature, Christmas is coming and it's time to start thinking about the gifts you plan to buy for all those special people on your list.

I love to craft and I love to buy things that other people make.  Handmade gifts are just SO special to me.  Those are the gifts that come from the heart, ya know?!  Do you or anyone you know have a business that makes handmade things?  If so, I'd love to hear about it and promote that business on my blog.  What better time to get recognized than right before Christmas!!!  Beginning October 1st, I am offering incredibly inexpensive advertising space on my blog!!  If you would like to hear more about this opportunity, please email me and we can discuss the details.  I hope to be a blessing by helping promote those of you who have your own businesses and also bless my readers with fabulous products!

Now one more thing... if you like giveaways, you need to check out Our Raettig Blessings.  Angela has a fun giveaway going on right now and I told her I would help her spread the word.  :-)  Tell her Mandy from Burkett Blessings sent ya!  :-)

Watercoloring

This afternoon I let Mallory do some watercoloring.  She is such a little artist and loves to draw and paint. 

Jack had been riding his Elmo car through the house and was perfectly content with that until he saw Mallory painting.  When he realized what she was doing, he ran to me and said, "I uhn paint."  Which means, "I want to paint."  So, I quickly decided to let him "paint" with some water.

It wasn't quite as pretty as Mallory's.  Water on white paper is just pretty blah no matter what color bowl you put the water in!  :-)  So, I brought out some red construction paper so the water would show up a little more.

Jack loved it!!  I think he could have painted all day!!

They painted and painted and painted!

His first attempt at watercoloring was a definite success and we had one happy boy to show for it!

He only splattered the water one time and then told me he had made a mess!  HA!

The artwork made is way to the fridge gallery for display.  :-)  Then, I'm sure these will make their way to my keepsake box!  I love making memories like these... they are priceless!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Several years ago, my church choir was blessed to accompany Geron Davis in concert.  It was a wonderful experience!  Geron is most known for writing "Holy Ground" which is one of the songs that was sung at my wedding.  Geron also wrote one of my all-time favorite praise choruses.  He taught it to our church during the concert.  It's called "Evermore" and it's the song I've chosen to share for Then Sings My Soul Saturday.  It's one of those songs that really sticks with you.  Enjoy and be blessed.  Don't forget to check out all the other wonderful songs shared today at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders.  And, if you're visiting from Signs, Miracles, and Wonders - WELCOME!  I'm glad you're here.  It's my prayer that my blog blesses you and encourages you today and every time you visit.  Come back again soon.  :-)

Mallory's Prayer and Jack Can Count!!

Mallory has been praying every night for about a year now that we could live next door to Nana and Papa.  It is the sweetest thing I've ever heard!  She longs to be close enough that she can walk to their house whenever she wants to.  Well, God started moving and working to answer her little prayer.  And because of the way we've seen Him move, we've put our house on the market.  Now, our prayer is for our house to sell and for one near Nana and Papa to come available all at the same time.  Is that possible?  YEP!!!  I truly believe God is working and in His mighty power, a miracle is going to happen.  We're just praying and waiting.  I can't wait to see how God works it all out.  :-)  Who knows... someone reading this right now just might be the answer to Mallory's year-long prayer!  How cool would that be?!?!?  Anyone felt led to move lately???  :-)

This morning after I dropped Mallory off at school, Jack and I headed to Walmart.  Since I only had a few little things on my list and I wasn't in a hurry, I decided to take my time and really look around.  Jack was being SO good!!!  While wandering through the children's clothes, Jack started counting the clothes racks as we passed them.  I quickly listened up because I was stunned at his new ability!!!!  He started at one and counted all the way to eleven!!!!!  WOW!!!  I couldn't believe it!!!  He just turned 2 and he's counting to eleven!!!!  Would you like to know who taught him to count???  ELMO!!!  Yep, there's something to be said for Sesame Street and that sweet little Elmo monster!  :-)  Both of my kids love videos and tv.  I have to admit I'm a big fan of children's programming.  Mallory learned SO much from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and all the Noggin/Nick Jr. shows.  And, now Jack is following in her footsteps.  His favorite shows are Dora, Wow Wow Wubzy, Kai-Lan, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and his Elmo dvd.  I've even heard him repeating Spanish and Chinese words when he's watching Dora and Kai-Lan!  He's just gifted... that's it!  :-)  Oh, and just in case you're wondering, I asked him to count for Nana, Papa, and Kristin at lunch and he did it again!!!  YEA JACK!!!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Mallory came home Friday afternoon and was SO excited to tell me that she had received another WHALE DONE for her behavior!!!  She had also received this honor on Wednesday and Thursday, so we were thrilled that she had gotten it 3 days in a row!!!  In case you missed it, Whale Done is given to those students who go above and beyond with their discipline and participation.  Needless to say, we are so proud of Mallory!!!

Friday night Nana and Papa came over and played Canasta with us.  We threw in a game of Go Fish that Mallory played with us.  It was a fun night and the GIRLS totally dominated in Canasta!  Saturday morning we went to my nephew Grant's 3rd birthday party.  I can't believe he is 3 years old!  That little munchkin is ADORABLE!!!  Mallory always tells us that she's going to marry Grant!  :-)  In fact, last Wednesday night in choir, the kids were asked to share one thing they are most thankful for.  Most of the kids said they were most thankful for their parents or getting to go swimming or playing a game.  Mallory said she was most thankful for her Cousin Grant!

Mallory and Grant

Jack LOVED the cookie cake!!!  Here he is saying, "CHEEEEESE".

Nana and Papa gave Grant a table and chairs for his room.  Look who got to test it out!!  :-)

Uncle Josh made Grant his own goal post!!!

Then, he taught him how to use it.  :-)

Ready, Set, Kick!

It was a fun, sports-theme party and all the kids had a blast!

Sunday we went to church.  I worked in Jack's Sunday school room this week.  He's had trouble adjusting to his new classroom ever since promotion Sunday two weeks ago, so I decided to work in his room to hopefully make the transition a little easier.  My poor little guy has had a lot of changes lately with Mallory going to school and I've learned that he doesn't like change!  Aren't we all a little like that?

I'm going to go get my little angels in bed and ready for another great day tomorrow. 
Blessings!

Mary Engelbreit, Anyone?

My mom has been collecting Mary Engelbreit for years.  She has some beautiful pieces!  Several clocks,  picture frames, and collector plates are just a few of her many M.E. treasures.  Well, Mama is redecorating and has decided to sell the pieces of her collection.  If you or someone you know might be interested in any of these, please let me know.  These are just a few pictures of her collection, so if you're interested in a specific piece, she just might have it!  :-)

Let me know if you have any questions about any of this.