Filling Your Kids’ Love Bank; a Meaningful Beauty giveaway

12 O 25.png?bfak=93887 samicone Filling Your Kids Love Bank; a Meaningful Beauty giveaway

What could a meaningful beauty giveaway possible have to do with filling your kids’ love bank?

When I was approached with the offer to be one of the bloggers to giveaway one of 10 complete skin care Anti-Age Systems from Meaningful Beauty, I agreed because they also asked me a more important question: What’s been your most meaningful moment in the last year?

As I pondered this question and thought back over the past twelve months, wonderful and poignant memories flooded my mind. Yet none were as memorable or profound as a recent event with my kiddos.

After coming home from their school’s Valentine’s Day party, my son presented me with what seemed to be a coffee canister wrapped in red paper with foam heart stickers strewn all over it. Thinking it was some musical holiday craft he concocted at school, I initially gave him the standard “that’s awesome!” validation he typically longs to hear about his tinkerings.

However, upon closer inspection, I noticed writing around it. It was, in fact, his “Love Bank”. Obviously whoever aided him in this project asked him when he felt loved and carefully wrote his answers down for him. 20120227 063158 Filling Your Kids Love Bank; a Meaningful Beauty giveawayThere were only two recorded responses, and they were quite simple, yet direct:

1. When my mommy is around me.
2. When daddy comes to my parties.

Wow.

As a blogger, this struck me extra hard because Iknew, deep in my heart of hearts, that being “around” didn’t just mean having him sit next to me and watch tv while I type away on the computer. I knew that using work as an excuse for not being at class parties doesn’t soften the sting when all his other classmates’ parents stand behind their kids. I knew something would have to change.

Now maybe he said these things because we’re already doing a bang-up job in these areas. Maybe. But regardless of where we stood, this seemingly insignificant craft told me we had to be much more intentional with our time and attention when it comes to this precious little boy we’ve been blessed to call our son.

Obviously, I think he’s doing ok….

…but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to make these meaningful moments happen in all of our lives!

Now it’s your turn! Tell me what your most meaningful moment was in the last year for a chance to win one of 10 complete skin care Anti-Age Systems from Meaningful Beauty.

If you want to keep your skin looking great in every moment, learn more about Meaningful Beauty- Cindy Crawford’s break through secret for younger looking skin.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Meaningful Beauty. The opinions and text are all mine. Contest Rules.

Win Robin Good – the latest VeggieTales DVD masterpiece!

veggietales robin good 239x300 Win Robin Good   the latest VeggieTales DVD masterpiece!You’ve been waiting for it, and now it’s finally here – you can win Robin Good, the latest VeggieTales masterpiece…even though it doesn’t release to stores until March 3 icon wink Win Robin Good   the latest VeggieTales DVD masterpiece!

I actually got a sneak peak of Robin Good and His Not-So-Merry Men (or at least the cover of it) when I got to be part of a VeggieTales focus group last year. Ever since, I’ve been anxiously awaiting this story where the lesson is on something so important, especially in the stage I’m in with my young school-age children: handling hurt. It’s just another reason why I appreciate VeggieTales – they heard from moms that this was a top lesson they wanted to see VeggieTales address for their kids…and boy did they listen!

A little info about the show:
There’s no hurt too big for God! Robin Good has a mission - fundraising from the rich and giving to the poor! But when a greedy Prince starts stealing the townspeople’s hams, donations are down and Robin’s band of friends desert him to give robbing a try. Can Robin overcome his hurt, show his friends what’s right and restore the townspeople’s hope?

The DVD also features:
An adorable short video starring Junior Asparagus: “Lenny and the Lost Birthday”. Plays at the start of the show before the main feature.

A digital short that is both hilarious and educational, teaching kids about what a Leap Year means: “Larry’s Leapin’ Leap Year”. Watch it on the DVD and also here: http://www.veggietales.com/robingood

Plus check out the amazing guide they created:
RobinGoodGuide 230x300 Win Robin Good   the latest VeggieTales DVD masterpiece!One of you can win the DVD before you can even buy it in stores! Just enter via Rafflecopter below:

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“What’s in the Bible?” Giveaway & Blissdom Sponsorship

Do you know “What’s in the Bible”? No, really…because if you don’t know what’s in the Bible, or you want to teach your kids about what’s in the Bible, then you need to check out “What’s in the Bible?”. Lucky for you, not only are they my Blissdom sponsor for today (so I have a special treat for those of you attending Blissdom), but I also have a giveaway for those of you not in Nashville this weekend!

But first, let me tell you why I approached them about sponsoring me in the first place…

I grew up with a Jewish father and British mother who, although they didn’t follow their own religions closely in my early years, didn’t want to seem to give in to the other. This led to a conglomeration of celebrations in my home, culminating with my most beloved holiday memory under the age of 6: the Hannukah Bush.

p0000001750 300x199 Whats in the Bible? Giveaway & Blissdom SponsorshipImagine my surprise after they divorced at the age of 7 and I started formal school to find that not everyone celebrated the way we did!

While I made my own decision to follow Christ in my mid-twenties, I still yearned to learn more about my Jewish heritage and how I could celebrate it as a Christian.

That yearning grew even more as I got married and had my own kids. So who would have that I would find answers, where else, but a children’s DVD called,  “Why Do We Call It Christmas?”

Created by Phil Vischer, he and the folks at What’s in the Bible lead us on an in-depth journey that both enlightens adults and entertains children…or maybe it’s vice-versa? Either way, everyone will learn something and laugh while doing it!

Yes, yes, I realize that I’m talking to you about a Christmas DVD in February, but it lays such an amazing foundation for our faith that its value transcends the time its typically allotted between Thanksgiving & Christmas.

It’s for this reason why I asked my friends at What’s in the Bible if we could do a special Blissdom giveaway…and they said yes!

In addition to Why Do We Call It Christmas, there are six volumes of the DVD series that chronicle the books of the Bible starting, where else, but at Genesis in Volume 1. Volume 7 will be released next month, and I’m already jittery just waiting to hear the Main Menu (it’s one of the highlights of the series for me – so clever! Trust me, you’ll just have to  check it out for yourself).

So here’s what you’ve been waiting for – two ways to get this great product in your hot little hands:

1. Blissdom Attendees
I have 50 DVDs (yes, 50!) to giveaway to the first 50 people that find me today and tweet out “I found @TheSamiCone at #Blissdom & now I’ll find out @WhatsInTheBible with my free DVD!”
Even better, for the first 10 people to find me, not only will you get Volume 1, but you’ll also get the Christmas DVD I keep raving about!

2. Online Readers
Even if you’re not joining me this weekend for Blissdom, you can still win big! 10 readers will win both the What’s in the Bible volume 1 DVD as well as the Why Do We Call It Christmas DVD! Just enter via Rafflecopter below.

Samicone version 300x150 Whats in the Bible? Giveaway & Blissdom Sponsorship3. Coupon Code
Ok, I know I said two options, but if you just can’t wait to get your hands on one of these fabulous DVDs, I’ve negotiated a coupon code just for my SamiCone.com readers! Just enter coupon code SAMICONE when you checkout.

Good luck y’all! Can’t wait to meet my fellow Buck Denver fans at Blissdom!
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Who Makes You Smile? Tell Top Dentists & Win!

 Who Makes You Smile? Tell Top Dentists & Win!Who Makes You Smile?

I’ve always been told to keep a picture of my children as a baby close to me at all times because whenever you look at those chubby little faces, you can’t help but smile (especially if your kids are older). Well now TopDentists.com wants to know who makes you smile, and they have quite a prize package for one lucky winner!

Enter a photo of the person in the TopDentists.com smile contest for a chance to win quite the fabulous Grand Prize: a teeth whitening session in NYC with one of their Top Dentist,s plus all expense paid trip, $1,000 in spending money and photo session for you and your guest.

There are also daily teeth whitening kits from Love That White Smile and chances to win teeth whitenings in:
Aventura FL, Austin TX, Beverly Hills CA, Philadelphia PA, and Troy MI from Top Dentists in those ares.

So what are you waiting for? Nominate who makes you smile, and they just might help you bring a HUGE smile to your face in NYC!

Don’t Wait for Tomorrow to Live Your Best Life…

8 O 17.png?bfak=93887 samicone Dont Wait for Tomorrow to Live Your Best Life...
I don’t know what it is about 2012, but I’ve personally witnessed many circumstances that have reminded me just how brief life is. Events and relationships I once took for granted have dissipated before my eyes.

But even if I hadn’t experienced these life-changing events, I’ve come to realize that I’ve been living a complacent life when it comes to my own health. The soundtrack of “I’m too busy”, “I travel too much” and “I’m not a professional athlete any more” finally ran its course. I had to step back and realize that if I wanted my children to grow up to be truly healthy, both emotionally and physically, I had to stop simply talking to them and start living it out before them.

But how do you change years of bad habits and complacency? Worse yet, how do you make major life changes when the choices you thought the choices you have been making were good ones?

I can tell you what you cannot do: go it alone. If you got yourself into this position, chances are you’re going to need help and guidance to get out.

It’s for this reason that I’m excited about the The MapMyFitness Quaker Challenge. Quaker Oatmeal has always been a staple in our family, so it would only make sense that they would come up with a tool to help equip people in their journey to improve their heart health one step at a time…and track that change!

When the end goal seems to big to get to, you must break it up into bite size bites (oatmeal pun intended regular smile Dont Wait for Tomorrow to Live Your Best Life...). When you join the The MapMyFitness Quaker Challenge, you’re given a FREE tool to track those goals and steps you’re taking to get there. They’re challenging all of us to complete just 15 workouts in 30 days for a chance to not only win some fabulous prizes, but ultimately gain the best prize of all: life-long health!

Joining the The MapMyFitness Quaker Challenge is my first step towards becoming a healthier me. Now I’m curious to know, what motivates you to stay healthy?

For your chance to win $750 complete these two steps:

1.Share the Challenge with your friends
2.Tell us that you’ve invited your friends to join the Challenge AND share what motivates you to stay healthy below

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Quaker Oats Company. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

Ebates Savvy Living Valentine’s Day Live Chat & Giveaway Feb 7

 Ebates Savvy Living Valentines Day Live Chat & Giveaway Feb 7

The Ebates Savvy Living Valentine’s Day Live Chat (& giveaway!) is tonight, February 7 from 8-9pm EST (7-8pm CST)!

Hopefully you’ve already entered to win the $100 giveaway and are ready to talk any and all things sweet during the Valentine’s Day live chat with me and my fellow Savvy Living Community Leaders tonight!

Once the chat goes live, you’ll be able to type right in the area below.

Hopefully by now, you’ve already joined Ebates and are getting cash back on all those Valentine’s Day presents. I always say, people don’t have to know how much you spent or saved on the gift you bought them, but personally I love knowing when I receive thoughtful gifts that my friends & loved ones were able to also save a bundle on!

I can’t wait to hear all about how you celebrate Valentine’s Day – whether you celebrate on the day or not, if you include your kids, or if you do something else entirely! Let’s chat Tuesday night!

Ebates $100 Giveaway & Valentine’s Day Live Chat!

 Ebates $100 Giveaway & Valentines Day Live Chat!

Thanks to Ebates, I have the giveaway of all giveaways for you: $100 just in time for Valentine’s Day! That’s right, to celebrate their upcoming Valentine’s Day live chat on February 7 from 8-9pm EST, Ebates will be giving one of my lucky readers $100 to celebrate all the love in the air this week icon smile Ebates $100 Giveaway & Valentines Day Live Chat!

Here’s how to put $100 in your pocket to make celebrating with your sweetheart that much sweeter this year:
*MANDATORY ENTRY: You must join Ebates (or already be a member to enter). So leave a comment below either letting me know you’ve signed up for Ebates or that you’re already an Ebates Member (If you haven’t heard that Ebates will pay you back for shopping online and want to learn more, read more here).

*Optional Entry 1:
Leave a comment below sharing your favorite valentine’s day gift (can either be one you’ve given or one you’ve received – especially love those that are creative, homemade and thoughtful!)

*Optional Entry 2:
Post on your Facebook wall promoting the chat by sharing this post with your friends, BEFORE you rsvp to the chat. Please tag “Ebates” in your post.

*Optional Entry 3:
Tweet the following before you RSVP for the live chat:
Winning $100 from @Ebates & @TheSamiCone would make my Valentine’s Day even sweeter! Enter here: http://ow.ly/8Th9B

Remember, you must join Ebates to win, and then make sure to come back here on February 8 for our LIVE Valentine’s Day Chat!

Real Steel Blu-ray Giveaway

 Real Steel Blu ray Giveaway Real Steel Blu ray Giveaway

I’ve got a Real Steel Real Steel Blu ray GiveawayBlu-ray giveaway for you all today!

The Real Steel Blu-ray DVD combo Real Steel Blu ray Giveaway came out last week, and I have a copy to give away to one lucky SamiCone.com reader.

Though it’s a little mature for my 5 & 7 year old still, it has some great themes older kids will appreciate and be able to watch with their parents, especially the father-son relationship between the main characters:

To enter, leave a comment below letting me know if you’ve seen the movie yet or not (& what you think if you have!).

For an additional entry, follow @TheSamiCone on Twitter, then leave a comment letting me know you did.

For another extra entry, “like” the Sami Cone Facebook Page and leave a comment below letting me know you did.

One winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entries by Feburary 8, 2012.

Dead Poets Society Blu-ray: Carpe Diem!

 Dead Poets Society Blu ray: Carpe Diem! Dead Poets Society Blu ray: Carpe Diem!

It’s hard to believe that Dead Poets Society Dead Poets Society Blu ray: Carpe Diem! was first released over 20 years ago, but now you can “Carpe Diem” and seize the Dead Poets Society Blu-ray Dead Poets Society Blu ray: Carpe Diem! that is now available!

This is such an iconic, ‘coming of age’ film that came about before teen dramas were all the rage. Starring Academy Award winner Robin Williams, as well as still-familiar faces Ethan Hawke & Robert Sean Leonard, the plot goes beyond the tale of a boys’ boarding school to follow the unique life stories of the boys who find themselves there for whatever the reason. What I didn’t realize until I did some deeper research was that the script was written by Tom Schulman, based on his life at the Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville – just down the road from me! Small world…

Though it’s only rated PG, quite mild for today’s ‘teen movie’ standards, I still don’t think I’m ready to let my elementary school children watch it due to it’s powerful and mature themes. However, I am excited to watch it with my hubs this weekend and see if it still makes the same impact on me now as it did when I first saw it when I was in high school (am I really that old?).

Would you like to relive the magic & memories too? Thanks to the fabulous folks at Disney, I get to give it away to one of my readers as well.
Enter here:
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Family Devotions with Jesus Calling: Win both books from Tommy Nelson!

 Family Devotions with Jesus Calling: Win both books from Tommy Nelson! Family Devotions with Jesus Calling: Win both books from Tommy Nelson!

Start a new tradition of family devotions by winning both Jesus Calling Family Devotions with Jesus Calling: Win both books from Tommy Nelson!& Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions For Kids  Family Devotions with Jesus Calling: Win both books from Tommy Nelson!from Tommy Nelson!

When you have young kids that you have to get off to school each morning, it can be hard to have a quiet time, much less sit down for devotions together. That’s why I’ve loved the companion devotionals “Jesus Calling Family Devotions with Jesus Calling: Win both books from Tommy Nelson!” and “Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions For Kids Family Devotions with Jesus Calling: Win both books from Tommy Nelson!“. While I still read “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers every morning, I’ve started reading “Jesus Calling” as well because then I’ll have my daughter read the kids’ version out loud for us on the way to school!

What’s great is that they parallel each other, so even though they’re written at different comprehension levels, every day shares the same topic/verses. It’s a great, quick way to both set your family’s heart on God in the morning, but also align with each other for a shared purpose.

And one lucky reader will win BOTH for their family!

Enter via Rafflecopter below:
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