Making a Difference with Yahoo! and Girls For A Change

The following is a post sponsored by Yahoo! Every time someone clicks here to make Yahoo! their homepage, they're showing their support for Girls For A Change.
I was selected for this opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Do you ever feel like you don't make a difference? I know there have been many days when I have felt like what I do is of little consequence outside of my own home. After all, it's hard to save the world and be a stay-at-home mom at the same time (although there are certainly some SuperMoms out there who do!). Yahoo! has recently launched an initiative that will allow each of us to make a simple change and a huge impact! Between now and July 1st, Yahoo! will donate $10 per person (up to $10,000) to Girls For A Change when people use this link to change their homepage to Yahoo!

What is Girls For A Change? Here's how they describe themselves:

“Girls For A Change (GFC) is a national organization that empowers girls to create social change. We invite young women to design, lead, fund and implement social change projects that tackle issues girls face in their own neighborhoods. GFC empowers girls for personal and social transformation. The program inspires girls to have the voice, ability and problem solving capacity to speak up, be decision makers, create visionary change and realize their full potential."

I love organizations that encourage young people to make a difference in their communities. I think a lot of times we underestimate their ability to bring about significant change due to their age, but teenagers have a lot going for them. They have the time, the opportunity, and the energy (something I'm seriously lacking these days). They still have a beautiful thing called "optimism." They really do believe they can solve the world's problems and through their ingenuity and hard work, they are doing their part to make the world a better place.

I can't go out and join the Peace Corp or teach math to inner-city kids, but I CAN switch my homepage. Remember to go through this link if you decide change your page in support of Girls For A Change (this is the link they're using to calculate how many people have made the switch!)

Almost FAMOUS! I need your help!

I don't frequently plead for your attention, but I'd love it if you could help me with one teeny little favor. . .

My boys and I are finalists in the "What's in the Bible" video promo contest. The winner will appear in Vol. #7 of the "What's in the Bible" series. If you haven't seen them yet, they are just outstanding. I love, love, love them.

Here's how you can help:
1. Like the "What's in the Bible" Facebook page at: http://facebook.com/WhatsintheBible
2. Click on "Video Contest" to the left of our page under the picture.
3. Click the "Vote Now" button.
4. Click on the green "Vote Now" button to vote for "More Bible Please"

The contest runs between now and June 29th. You can vote once a day if you don't have a facebook account you can also vote for my video by clicking on this link: : http://bit.ly/lfrwzp and then vote for "More Bible Please."

Here's a preview of our entry:


You guys are fantastic! Thanks soooo much for your help. My little boy would be so thrilled if he turned on his "Bible" video and was able to see a character talking specifically to him. It'd be so neat! 
 

Encouragement is a Powerful Thing

Never underestimate the power of an encouraging word. Over the last few years, I've learned just how important it is to encourage one another. I think that we often underestimate the way our words impact those around us. Scripture admonishes us to "encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called today."Sometimes it's hard to think of practical ways to put this command into action. In my personal opinion, a simple hand written note of encouragement can make a tremendous difference to another person.

I had the opportunity to sample a collection of cards from Dayspring recently. They are a perfect resource to encourage the ladies in my own life. The "Sassy and Sophisticated" collection of cards are great for sending to your girlfriends. The colors are vibrant and chic, and most have a humorous tone to them. The cards are quite attractive, and the message inside offers a great pick-me-up.

 They really are cute cards, I even sent one to my grandmother. I've got nine more cards left to send. . . time to get to work!

God Bless you as you seek to encourage others!



I received complimentary greeting cards to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed are my honest thoughts of the product.

Which one's mine? Problem solved, thanks to Zippies

Let's face it. Kids have a lot of stuff. More kids = more stuff. The challenge we face as moms is figuring out a quick and easy way to tell who things belong to. Zippies are a super cute way to quickly and easily identify a child's belongings. These collectible ID tags easily clip onto backpacks, jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes, the possibilities are endless! There's a cute character on one side and a place for a name and phone number on the back.

They feature both an adjustable rubber loop and a clip  that can attach to a key ring or loop in a bag.

I really like that they can easily attach to a water or soda bottle. This is great if you have to throw everyone's drink into a backpack or purse. It's easy to quickly identify which bottle belongs to which person.

They currently come in assortment of ten different characters. My favorite is the frog. They retail for $4.98 each or you can purchase the entire limited-edition first series for $29.95. They're currently available at http://zippiesfun.com and at select retailers. 

 

My hubby thought they were so neat that he snagged one for his laptop bag. They really are a neat product. Great for tagging your kid's belongings at camp, day care, or school. I was really impressed. Put up that permanent marker and pick up some Zippies, the "Pals that Hang Around."



I received a complimentary selection of Zippies to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed are my honest thoughts of the product.

10 Tips for Keeping your Family Safe on the Road

Summer is here. Soon families across the United States will be heading out on the roads for vacation. Even with soaring gas prices, it's hard to deny the allure of a family road trip. As millions begin their annual treks, it's important to keep in mind a few helpful tips for keeping your family safe on the road.

1. Don't over do it. I think it's definitely tempting to try to drive across country in the shortest time possible, but be aware of your own personal limitations. It might sounds like a good idea to drive for 14 hours, but driver fatigue can increase your risks. 
2. Please don't text and drive. Please, please, please for your safety and the safety of the rest of us on the road, don't text and drive. No message is worth your life or worth the life of your children. If you absolutely must check your messages, pass your phone to a passenger or pull over to the side of the road.
3. Don't drink and drive. I would hope beyond all hope that you would know better than to drive impaired, but statistics show that large numbers of people do get behind the wheel after having too much to drink. Please be responsible and don't put the rest of us at risk. 
4. Take regular breaks. If you've been on the road for a while, it might be a good idea to schedule regular breaks. Stretch your legs. Get a snack. Take a bathroom break. It'll help break up the monotony of the road and help you stay focused.
5. If you're sleepy, pull over or get a passenger to drive. Studies have shown that driving while sleep deprived can be similar to driving while intoxicated. If you feel like you're about to doze off, please pull off to a safe area and take a quick cat nap. If you're traveling with another licensed driver, take turns behind the wheel. One can sleep while the other one drives. 
6. Keep your car well maintained. Before heading out on the road, make sure your vehicle is in proper working order. Be sure to take care of any chips in your windshield since they can turn into a crack at any time. Chip repairs are economical and quick and usually take just about 30 minutes. Some companies like Safelite will even come to your location to do the repair.
7. Drive defensively. The sad truth is that even if you're doing everything properly, it's still possible to get into an accident due to someone else's negligence. Be on the alert for other drivers. Please report any individuals who appear to be intoxicated or are driving recklessly.
8. Inspect your tires. Before your trip begins, inspect your tires for any signs of damage or wear. It'd be a good time to check your tire pressure (this can also help you get the best gas mileage).
9. Check your child restraints. If you're traveling with young children, check to make sure that their seats are secure and properly installed. The seat should wiggle from side to side when you pull on it. If you're not sure if your seat is installed properly, stop by your local fire station or police station. Most locations have someone available to check to make sure the seat is secure.
10. Travel with an emergency kit. You never know what you might encounter on the road. Be sure to travel with a fully stocked emergency kit. Include some non-perishable food, bottles of water, a flashlight, blanket, and standard first aid kit. It always pays to be prepared. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged before your trip in case of an emergency (just remember not to chat on it while driving!). 

Your family is precious, so don't be in a rush. Take care of your precious cargo. Arriving ten or fifteen minutes early is not worth the risk of speeding or driving recklessly. There are many things that you can do to help keep your family safe on the road and reduce your risk. Drive safely and enjoy the journey!! Happy summer travels!

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Safelite blogging program, for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”