The Baby I never knew, but will never forget: Conner Benjamin...

Today is a day I will never forget.  I had changed Marebear's Speech appointment at the local out patient hospital.  We had never been there on a Monday morning, but this morning everything was different.  Her Speech Pathological was switching to inpatients and this was her last meeting with her current therapist and her first meeting with her new Speech Pathological, but her Speech Pathological was sick so I had to stay with her for a while and teach her about Marebear.

By this time my Little Man was getting restless so I promised him we could go to the waterfall (in the center of the hospital) or the playroom on the 2nd floor.  He was so ready to go and he took off, I could barely keep up with him.

When we arrived at the courtyard and I opened the door, I could see a family in intense conversation about something important.  A women from the group jumped up and took off almost running.  I announced to Little Man we are going to go to the Playroom, so they would know we would not bother them, and we were just passing through.

After we shut the door to the outside of the courtyard I notice the women was sitting on the floor crying.  I could not help but ask her if she was okay.  That is when she told me she had just lost her son.  My heart sank into the pit of my stomach.  I did not know what to do, so I bent down on my knees and hugged her.  I told her " I am so sorry."  I felt completely inadequacy to handle this situation.  I felt tears swell up in my eyes.  Why was I crying, I need to be a rock for this mom.  I could not help myself, I cannot imagine what this mom is going through right now.

She told me seeing my Little Man reminded her of her son; his blond hair and blue eyes.

I asked her what his name was, and she said Conner, then I asked her what his middle name is and she said Benjamin.  She asked if I wanted to see a photo of him, and I did.  He was a beautiful baby so cute and round like a newborn.  I asked her a few more questions about him.

About this time her husband joined us and later on her parents joins us too.  They asked me Little Man's name and I told them.  I told them I cannot imagine what they are going through, but shared with him a verse from the bible.

" Blessed are those that morn for they will be comforted" Matthew 5:4

I reminded them it is okay to morn and they will be comforted.

As her family gathered around I reminded her she could call me anytime to talk, or for anything she need and handed her a card with my information.

I thought of her and prayed for her and her family all day.  I never did get her or her husband's name, but I knew God knew who I was talking about. I wanted so bad to do something for her, and I did not know what I could do, so I am doing the only thing I can think of which is to honor him and his parent by remembering him.

In Memory of Conner Benjamin
He had olive skin and deep blue eyes.  He lived 8 glorious days in the arms of his mom, dad, grandparents and friends.  He was a good baby and he hardly ever cried.  He was a strong baby too.  He lifted his head, and he fought as hard as he could to survive.   He was loved completely by his mom and dad.  They tired for year to have a baby and he is their miracle baby.

Shutterfly Yearbooks and Photo Book Giveaway

School is back in session and I cannot help but think about when I was a kid in school.  I can barely remember those day.  To help me jog my memory I look at my Yearbooks.  It is fun to look back and remember those days when I was in school.    

Yearbooks have a way of capturing a single moment in time.  They open the door of treasured memories from the past.  My yearbook is one of the only things I have kept over the years and still use today.  

I also remember how costly Yearbooks were, I had to save up my allowance for months to save up for my Yearbook.  Well, Times have changed and so have Yearbooks.  Now Yearbooks are more colorful and affordable too.   

This is a picture of one of the Photo book we made with Shutterfly

Shutterfly has a professionally bound Yearbooks that are perfect for you and your class or school.  They are the easiest and most affordable way to preserve school memories for your child, their class  and their school.  You can easily create specially designed page templates for school activities, subjects, and student classroom and faculty photos. Best of all Shutterfly with walk you through the whole process. 

Shutterfly Yearbooks are:

1.       Easy-to-make- They use specially designed page templates to capture school activities along with favorite student, classroom and faculty pictures. Make it just the way you want with their All New Custom Path.

2.       Easy on your pocketbook - You can get up to 75% off when you order for your class or school.  They have prices as low as $5 per Yearbook, which are only available by contacting Shutterfly for a quote.

3.       Made to love, made to last - Their award-winning photo books are printed in color and professionally bound. Your Yearbook is saved forever and you can re-order it at any time.

Shutterfly yearbook are the easiest way to preserve school year memories!

Check out Shutterfly on these social channels:

       

·         Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shutterfly

·         Twitter: http://twitter.com/Shutterfly

·         Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/shutterfly/

·         Instagram: Shutterfly

·         Google +: http://plus.google.com/u/0/109424185572289814510/posts

·         Blog: http://blog.shutterfly.com/

Did you know Shutterfly also makes Photo Books?

Photo books are the new way to cherish and preserve your memories. Whether it's a gorgeous wedding photo album, a new baby memory book, a fun-filled family photo album, an adventurous travel photo album, or a personalized children’s book, Shutterfly has a professionally bound photo book that's perfect for you.

 Now what you been waiting for...

The giveaway  is Closed the winner is  boyzrule

 ( this is a picture of the photo book we made with Shutterfly)

        8x8 hard cover 20-page Photo Book plus shipping (including Canada) ($38 value)

Here is how you enter:  

Mandatory:

•  Follow me on Google and leave a comment stating you are following me.

Additional entrees: 

• Additional entrees: 
  • Share this Giveaway on your facebook page and leave a comment.
  • "Like" Nowamomof3's Facebook page and leave comment.   
  • "Like" Shutterfly's Facebook page and leave a comment here.
  • Follow Nowamomof3's Facebook page and leave comment here.
  • Follow Nowamomof3 on Twitter and leave a comment here.
  • Follow Shutterfly on Twitter and Leave a comment here.
  • Leave a comment on any other story on my blog for one additional entree. 

RULES: Maximum of 8 entries per person. The giveaway will end on September 27th at midnight.  I will randomly pick a winner at random.org on September 28th.  I will notify the winner by e-mail and posted winners first name or user name on my blog.  The winner with have 24 hours to contact me or another winner will be chosen.  You must be 18 years or older and a US resident to enter.  

Disclosure: The information and giveaway is sponsored by Shutterfly.   I will receive a free product from Shutterfly for posting.  However, the opinions expressed here are my own and did not in any way sway my opinions.   I am not held responsibility for failure of product delivered.   

A simple note of God's Love to...

Has our would changed so much we forgot how much the little thing mean to others.  In a world where you can instant message or post to facebook in seconds, have we loss the art of writing a letter or sending a card to someone.  Have we all lost our personal touch with each other?  I really hope not.  I do not know if you are anything like me, but I still enjoy receiving and giving physical greeting cards (maybe because I do not get many cards). There is something said about someone who takes the time to go to the store, pick out a card, write a small note, address it, stamp it and send it in the mail.  Think about all those steps.  During each one of those steps that person was thinking of you.  It is enough to make anyone feel loved, valued and cherished.

It is so easy for us sometime to get so caught up in our own lives, we forget about others around us. We tell ourselves we are adults and we don't need to have friends.  For me, finding and keeping friends as an adult is harder than it was as a child.  Even with many friends sometimes as moms we can feel alone.  It feels like no one understand what you are going through, but there is someone that knows exactly how you feel, Christ.  He is always there for us, with his words of wisdom to comfort our hearts.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7

After much prayer and thought I decided to pick some mom I though could use some encouragement.   Day Spring has sent me some cards from their Day Spring's Redeemer collection.  I love these cards because they have bible verses already written in them.  Each card is filled with positive words and affirmation of  God.

 I was so excited deciding which mom needed each card, when it hit me each card fit the person I was thinking of perfectly.  This idea of sending a few cards to a few friends somehow became bigger than me.  It was about God using  me to express his love to his people.

 I took all the cards, sat down at my desk and began to write.  It really lifted my soul to give to other what I wanted, words of encouragement.  I mean that is what we are supposed to do.

"And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them." Luke 6:31

I encourage you to give or send physical greeting cards to someone you know needs to hear God's love and encouraging words.  It does not have to be a long letter, just a few simple words.

 
Disclosure: DaySpring provided me with free cards but that all opinions are my own.

Kashi’s Soft-Baked Squares review

Have you ever wanted tasty AND nutritious food for your kids?  My kids are junk food eater and it is hard to find good healthy food that taste good too.  

A few weeks ago I was asked by Moms Meet to if I would attend a web seminar for Kashi.  I had heard of there product, but though that much healthy ingredients must taste awful.  I really wanted to taste there products and see for myself how they really tasted.  I also wanted to put them to the ultimate test, my kids.  

Did you Know Kashi’s Soft-Baked Squares:

With Kashi’s Soft-Baked Squares, there’s more than meets the eye: They’re made with surprising, nutritious ingredients like sweet potatoes and black beans!

• Kashi’s Soft-Baked Squares are a win-win for moms and kids. You’ll appreciate the positive nutrition, like seven whole grains, fiber and protein, while your kids will love the great taste.

• Kashi’s Chocolate Soft-Baked Squares are a tasty and nutritious twist on a favorite soft-baked chocolate-y snack with 4g of fiber*, 10g of whole grains, and only 160 calories per square.

• Kashi foods feature a signature combination of seven whole grains and are
natural, minimally processed, and free of highly refined sugars, artificial
additives, and preservatives.

• Find family-friendly recipes, articles and learn more about Kashi’s kid-friendly
foods at kashi.com/family or the Kashi Sampling Center at greenmomsmeet.
com/kashi.

*6g fat per serving

Now it is time for my kids to try a Kashi's at Chocolate soft bake squares.  I was so surprised to hear them say they love them.  They had just the right amount of sweetness and chocolate.  We all like how moist and soft they feel as they melt in your mouth.  

They also come in a convenience little package so you can take them with you where ever you go. I like to put them in my kids lunches.  They like these so much we went to the store and bought more.

Little Man saying "Yum" after he tasted his Kashi's Chocolate soft bake square

It makes me feel proud as a mom to be able to give my kids snacks I can feel good about.  Snacks with seven whole grains, fiber, and protein.  Most of all I like a snack that is Naturally sweetened and does not contain high fructose corn syrup.  

We also tried Kashi's new Pumpkin Spiced Flax crunchy Granola bars.  I have to say these are my new favorite Granola Bar. It is crunchy, but not dry.  It is naturally sweetened with wildflower honey and with 5 grams of Protein it give me the energy I need as a mom of three kids.

Don't take my word for it, go ahead and try them for yourselves.


Find Kashi online , Kashi on Facebook, and
Moms Meet: Kashi



Disclaimer: I received this product for free from the sponsor
of the Moms MeetSM program, May Media Group LLC, who received it
directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms MeetSM blogger, I agreed
to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do
not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the
manufacturer of the product.

Artisan Pizza Crust with Whole Grain for Pillsbury and coupon

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Whether your family loves pepperoni, veggies, or the works, the possibilities are endless!  Click here to download a printable coupon for $1.25 off one package of New Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust with Whole Grain. Grab a coupon and let the good times un-roll with Pillsbury! 


disclosure: I received this information and the coupon offer from Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark.