The Afters: "Live on Forever" CD Giveaway

"Live on Forever" is the newest album from the Christian band, The Afters.  The soul searching songs on the album are in response to loss and heartache, BUT -- the album is ultimately one of HOPE and JOY!

"Our hope was to encourage people...

[to] remind them that we grow through tragedy 

and God is faithful through it all."

Josh Havens -- lead singer of The Afters

We need to be continually reminded to consider life from God's point of view and not our own temporal point of view.  "Live on Forever" is an album of songs that help us see our life (and present sufferings) in light of eternity.

The song "Battles" reminds us that God is with us and will not leave us in the midst of trying times.  In fact -- He is fighting our battles for us!

One of my favourite songs on the album is "Sunrise":  

"You are the sunrise in my sky

Nothing can hide you from my eyes

A day is coming soon when You'll make all things new.

You are the sunrise in my sky."

If you are looking for encouragement and hope -- give The Afters "Live on Forever" a listen.  You are sure to find a song that meets you where you're at and gives you the message from God that you need to hear.

Check Out: The Afters Official Website or visit them at: Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

Buy It: You can buy "The Afters: Live on Forever" on Amazon / iTunes / Google Play / Spotify

Win It: One Sowing Dandelion Seeds reader will win a copy of the CD "The Afters: Live on Forever"

a Rafflecopter giveaway
"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant  per mailing address, per  giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

~❀~ Chelsey ~❀~

"All Things Bright and Beautiful" Book Giveaway

"All Things Bright and Beautiful" written by Cecil Frances Alexander and illustrated by Kathy Hudson, is a beautiful hardcover book that is sure to bless anyone who reads it.

"All Things Bright and Beautiful" was originally a hymn published in 1848.  This hymn is one that I sang when I was in a children's choir and so this was a special book to share with my own children.

"How great is God Almighty,

Who has made all things well."

The illustrations by Katy Hudson are adorable and show three kids enjoying God's creation.  The children see many beautiful animals and flowers throughout the day as they play in the sun and wind.  The end of the book shows nocturnal animals as the family goes to sleep in their tent.  You can't help but feel appreciative of all that God has given us when you read this book.

This book is 'bright' and 'beautiful' and highlights the amazing creation all around us.  

Buy It:  You can buy "All Things Bright and Beautiful" on Amazon

Win it:  One Sowing Dandelion Seeds reader will win a copy of the book "All Things Bright and Beautiful".

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

   ~❀~ Chelsey ~❀~

Still Holding Hands -- Thankfulness

Thankfulness continued....

It's hard to believe that it's been nearly 5 years since I last wrote a thankfulness post.  I have been incredibly thankful, even though I haven't posted about it...

45.  The Little Free Library in our neighbourhood.  We have been trading books and enjoying the walks, bike rides and scooter trips to check out what's new!

46.  "A Thousand Years" and this Littlest Pet Shop video:

Desiree (11 years old) found it and played it for me.  Desiree was lost in the woods last summer and this video reminds me of that...

47.  Still Holding Hands...  Our family went to the store the other day and on the way back I was holding Desiree's hand and told Elijah to hold Dad's hand when we crossed the street.  As we walked up our street my husband went on ahead and Elijah held Desiree's hand.  It's sweet to see a 9 year old boy who will still hold his Dad's hand, but especially sweet to see my two kids still willing to hold hands...

48.  Sleeping Through the Night -- Elijah has been having scary nightmares lately, but has made some progress on sleeping through the night.  I've told him everyone wakes up in the middle of the night and he just needs to remind himself to "Roll over and pick a new dream".

49. Looking at Old Photos from past Thankfulness posts:

~❀~ Chelsey ~❀~

"1 Girl Nation" CD Giveaway

Hi, I'm Desiree.  I am 10 years old and I am writing a review on this cd.  I like this cd because it has Christian songs about Jesus.  

My favourite song is "While We're Young" because it has a good beat and good lyrics.  The moral is that it's better to believe in Jesus while you're young instead of waiting till you're older so you can save yourself from the heartache of sin.

Here are some of the lyrics:

We’re gonna save ourselves the heartache 

We’re not looking back on what we wished we’d done 

We’re gonna risk it all for one thing 

And live for Jesus while we’re young  

What I dislike about One Girl Nation is I think that the way that they dress is super modelish.  Also I don't like the way they act in the music video.  I would prefer if they were acting normal and wore regular clothes.  

I like the songs on the cd, but I don't like the cd cover.  

I think this cd would be good for girls my age.  I hope you like it too.  Goodbye.

Buy It:  You can buy 1 Girl Nation via LifeWay Christian Stores -- on sale now!

Win It: One Sowing Dandelion Seeds reader will win a copy of the CD 1 Girl Nation!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 225: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement and Testimonials in Advertising."

Complete Giveaway Rules and Disclosure Policy

~ Desiree ~

"His Kids" Online Radio Station

Check out His Kids for an online radio station that is good clean fun.

Kids and families can listen to Adventures in Odyssey, Paws and Tales or Jonathan Park audio stories as well as uplifting and encouraging music.  Some programs can even be listened to "on demand".

~ Chelsey ~ 

The Little Drummer Boy -- Canadian Style

Check out this music video by Sean Quigley, 

(a highschool student from Winnipeg, Canada)

who wanted to honour Jesus through this classic Christmas carol.

Here's the full story:  Winnipeg teen drums up viral hit 

  ~ Chelsey ~

The Great Canadian Blog Bash 2011

Welcome to my blog!  I'm pleased to be participating in 

The Great Canadian Blog Bash!  

  

Elijah waiting for the Olympic Torch Feb 2010

Stompin' Tom Connors (of "The Hockey Song" fame) wrote this song "Name the Capital".  The video is like a cross-country road trip of cities across Canada from west to east (although the three territories in the north aren't mentioned).  Desiree got an excellent mark in Grade 2 Socials Studies because she used this song to learn all the capital cities.

The song was written in 1972, but one photograph in the video shows the start of game two of the 1992 World Series where the U.S. military honor guards displayed the Canadian flag upside down during the signing of the national anthems.  We're Canadian so we forgive them.

In 1999 the Northwest Territories became two separate territories -- the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.  It was news to me that there had been talk of re-naming the Northwest Territories and that the name "Bob" was at the top of the polls.  We Canadians are nothing, if not funny...

2008

For those that are new to my blog...  I'm Chelsey 

-- an elementary teacher turned stay at home mom 

who loves all things childish.  

I love God and I'm proud to be a Canadian.  

Ernie and I have been married for nearly 14 years.  Ernie had a stroke 5 years ago that has left him permanently disabled due to cognitive symptoms so life for us is complicated and stressful much of the time.  When times are good we love spending time together as a family -- having fun and making memories... 

I enjoy learning and helping my kids learn in fun and creative ways.  

We are often reading, singing, biking, watching movies, climbing trees and making crafts together. 

Desiree (7) is a budding author -- she writes books and diary entries in bed at night when other children in our time zone are fast asleep. 

Elijah (5) is an actor in the making -- he has lately taken to wearing his Superman pajama top in public and making a curl in the middle of his forehead.  

    

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians!

And, of course, Happy Independence Day to my American friends too...

~❀~ Chelsey ~❀~

Rebecca St. James' "I Will Praise You" Giveaway

Rebecca St. James has released her first studio project since 2005.  This cd is entitled "I Will Praise You" and is a collection of worship songs that she says is "her most personal recording to date."

This album contains 10 songs -- including five that were co-written by Rebecca as well as two cover songs that were influential in Rebecca's own spiritual walk.  The cd insert shows that each song has a verse from the Bible that it references.  The verses are found throughout the Old and New Testaments, in Psalms and even in the book of Revelations.     

Rebecca says: "The overall theme of this album is trust and surrender and just focusing on God -- which I think is really the purpose of worship ... to set our eyes on Him and glorify Him."  What a great reminder that "worship" is not a style of music, but a state of our hearts.

"Shine Your Glory Down" is one of my favourite songs.  The tune is catchy and the lyrics are genuine:

With each breath, fill me

With each step, free me 

When I love, Father love through me

Oh Majesty, I do not walk in darkness

I will not live in fear

I'll walk in Your light.

Check Out: Rebecca's Listening Party to preview I Will Praise You.  You can also visit Rebecca's Website for more information.

Buy It: You can order I Will Praise You online or purchase it at your local Christian bookstore. 

Win It: One Sowing Dandelion Seeds reader will win a copy of Rebecca St. James' I Will Praise You. ($10.97 ARV)
Leave a separate comment for each entry. Please leave your e-mail in this format: sowingdandelionseeds(at)yahoo(dot)ca  if it isn't public in your profile. All entries will be verified.

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Tell me a favourite song that has been an inspiration in your life.


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#Win Rebecca St. James' "I Will Praise You" from @RebeccaStJames and @SowDandelions http://tinyurl.com/3q3k2p3 

Open to Canada and the United States

Ends May 3, 2011

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

For Complete Giveaway Rules and Disclosure Policy Click Here

 ~❀~ Chelsey ~❀~

Overcoming Cabin Fever (Sesame Street Style)

I always get a kick out of the Sesame Street versions of hit songs.  My kids think "C drives me crazy" is great and they've never even heard the original song...

Here's "Outdoors" with Jason Mraz.  I've heard the song before, but have to admit I don't know the artist -- I just love the catchy tune.  

This choice of words is great: 

"All day I've been inside -- I've got the feeling 

I'm trapped between the walls and underneath the ceiling".

I can't wait to go outdoors either, but here it's cold and dark and rainy.  I won't enjoy going outdoors fully till the weather warms up!  

If you can't bear to go outdoors yet, check out other great Sesame Street clips and songs at Sesame Street Videos.  

They have a bunch of my favourite characters: Ernie, the Tweedlebugs, Super Grover, Slimey the Worm and the Martians ("Yup yup yup"). 

Don't forget to share your favourite Sesame Street characters and sketches here! 

~❀~ Chelsey ~❀~

A Lie's Still a Lie -- Even When it's White.

My husband and I have been watching the tv show "Lie to Me" with Tim Roth (not Gary Oldman -- I mix those guys up ever since being introduced to them in "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead"). Anyways -- this isn't your typical detective type show. This show solves the mystery by using the science of lie detection (with no lie detector machine required). Check this show out if you haven't already.

In the meantime check out this snippet from the show. It's a funny, honest song about white lies that will have you humming all day:

My kids (3 and 6) have experimented with lying. You know -- the age old: "No, I didn't eat any chocolate." when they have it smeared all over their mouths. If only all lies were so easy to detect...

Types of Less Conventional Lies:

*White Lies -- I love honesty, but I'll admit to being a little embarrassed when my kids are brutally honest about things like disliking supper at someone else's house. I've made a point not to teach them how to tell white lies, but it is hard to teach them to be honest all the time and to still use manners. I tell them not to say they liked the meal if they didn't, but that they can still say "thank you" because the host worked hard to make the meal.

*Half Truths. A half truth is withholding information, but people figure it's okay because it's not like telling a bold faced lie. This is why in court people are asked to tell "the whole truth" -- after all a half truth is technically also a half lie. My kids are too young to dabble with half truths as of yet and I'd love for them to avoid them all together. I'll let you know how that goes...

*Lying with Your Actions. To me, the definition of sneaking is lying with your actions. If a person is doing something on the sly that someone else is unaware of then the intention is to deceive them. My son (3) is a notorious sneaker, but he's such an open book about it. You can see when he has a plan to sneak, when he's mid-sneak and when he's snuck (and I mean even without the help of chocolate on the face).


Right now the biggest lie we're dealing with is "I'm full". My kiddos have discovered that full people don't have to eat more while picky people do. Strange how moments later they'll be hungry if desert is hinted at!

Share your feelings on lying. And please -- be honest.


~❀~ Chelsey ~❀~

God Can Be So Hilarious

Check out this song "Laughing With" by Regina Spektor

Here are the lyrics as well:

Laughing With

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
When they’re starving or freezing or so very poor

No one laughs at God
When the doctor calls after some routine tests
No one’s laughing at God
When it’s gotten real late
And their kid’s not back from the party yet

No one laughs at God
When their airplane start to uncontrollably shake
No one’s laughing at God
When they see the one they love, hand in hand with someone else
And they hope that they’re mistaken

No one laughs at God
When the cops knock on their door
And they say we got some bad news, sir
No one’s laughing at God
When there’s a famine or fire or flood

*Chorus*
But God can be funny
At a cocktail party when listening to a good God-themed joke, or
Or when the crazies say He hates us
And they get so red in the head you think they’re ‘bout to choke
God can be funny,
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilarious
Ha ha
Ha ha

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
When they’ve lost all they’ve got
And they don’t know what for

No one laughs at God on the day they realize
That the last sight they’ll ever see is a pair of hateful eyes
No one’s laughing at God when they’re saying their goodbyes

No one’s laughing at God
No one’s laughing at God
No one’s laughing at God
We’re all laughing with God