A GIVEAWAY - HOLIDAY GIFT GIVEAWAY HOP!

Welcome to HOLIDAY GIFT GIVEAWAY HOP! What a great way to start off the Christmas Season. So excited for all of our Family Volley friends to be here. I am so grateful to you for reading. And to everyone visiting, I hope we will become friends

Around here we are helpful, funny, and fantastic. Whether it's parenting, relationships, motherhood, you name it, we chat about it. And, it's all in the name of love. 

With Christmas right around the corner, who doesn't want a little help with their shopping. Whether you want to use your winnings to buy gifts for family and friends, or for yourself, these two stores have something for everyone. 

For the HOLIDAY GIFT HOP, One lucky winner will win BOTH PRIZES...

A $25 Gift Card to Target. 

US Entries

The greatness of Target is pretty self explanatory. They have everything I need for any occasion. It is my one stop shop. I can get my groceries, clothes, b-day gifts, school supplies, you name it. Plus, I save money when I shop there.

The greatest part about Target Gift Cards is that they don't expire and you can use them at any Target or Super Target store on online. 

AND...

A $25 Gift Credit to Jasmere

US entries

Jasmere seeks out lesser-known specialty retailers that deserve national attention and offer their products at an exclusive discount. Up to 70% off. There are new deals everyday, and when I say deals, I mean unbelievable, can't pass up deals. With over 19,000 Facebook followers, this site is the place to be. 

Jasmere has some of the best deals I have ever seen. And you don't have to be a member to buy and benefit.

Ready to WIN?

Mandatory Entry

Become a follower of Family Volley through Google and leave me a comment telling me you follow.  

You can click on the follow button on the right side bar.

Extra Entries

Leave a separate comment for each entry. Don't forget your email. If you already do any of the following, just tell me so. 

1. Like Family Volley on Facebook.

You can also click on the Facebook icon, right side bar at the top.  

2. Follow Family Volley on Twitter.

You can click on the Twitter icon, right side bar at the top.  

3. Post about this giveaway on your Facebook page. Leave me a link in your comment. (Worth 2 entries). Leave me two separate comments. 

That's it. Quick and easy. Jasmere is only valid in the US. If you don't have a Target, you can shop online. Or, no matter where you live, win and you can give them as gifts.

http://simplystacie.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=687f136ec002f53707e7b7db1&id=7d3b091e3d&e=65f28afdf2

This giveaway will close on Sunday December 5th at 11:59 pm. Winner will be announced on Monday December 6th. 

I didn't receive any compensation for this giveaway.

Thankful for a Legacy

Well it's over. Just like that.

It seems we have been waiting for Thanksgiving for so long, and now, it is gone. I love this holiday.

I can't stop thinking about it. We had a lovely week. One of the best I can remember. (Except we didn't take any pictures). It was just what our family needed. We had very few responsibilities or obligations. I took an extra day off teaching and our children had three days off of school. My husband was around for most of it and we even got some snow. 

I helped my mom with Thanksgiving dinner. It is one of my most favorite things to do. I watched her in awe as she orchestrated the preparations perfectly. The end result, the best tasting Thanksgiving ever. Her gravy can't be beat. More than that, my mom can make every situation full of love, warmth, and welcoming. 

As we worked together in the kitchen my mind was filled with memories of my grandmother. My mom's mom. She passed away a few years ago. The three of us used to spend hours in the kitchen, talking, cooking, preparing. They are the women in my life I look to for all things. They are the examples that I strive to emulate. I missed her extra this Thanksgiving. I am grateful for the legacy she built and that my mom carries on that legacy. 

I just finished checking on our children in bed. All three are asleep. For them I am grateful. So grateful that words don't do justice and thinking about it puts a lump in my throat that I can't swallow. 

They are the greatest thing that will ever happened to my husband and me. As their mother, I am humbled to think that the Lord has entrusted me with their care. 

Wasn't it just yesterday that I was dreaming about being a mom? Dreaming about what it would be like to be pregnant, nurse a child, teach ABC's, and teach the stories of Jesus. Now, in the blink of an eye I am here. 

As I pushed the hair out of our sleeping daughters face tonight, it hit me, she will continue this legacy. She is already dreaming of being a mommy and marrying her prince. Before I know it, both our daughters will be married and having their own children.

This Thanksgiving season I was overwhelmed with gratitude because I am a part of this legacy. A legacy of women who give all for their families and who take the role of mother seriously. Women who are strong, confident, patient, loving and intelligent. Women who have sacrificed all they have to teach and nurture and love. Women like my grandmothers and my mother. 

My grandma used to have a stool in her kitchen. I would sit on the stool and watch her and my mom work, cook and fold laundry. Last month the stool got a new home, my kitchen. Now my daughters sit on it and watch me work and cook. I hope I am teaching them just like I was taught. I hope I am living up to the legacy that has come before me. I hope I am teaching our daughters by word and deed that this legacy is worth sacrificing for. 

I am thankful this Thanksgiving for my role as a women.  

Much Thanksgiving! For Each of You!

There is so much to be grateful for. Included in the list, wonderful Family Volley readers who inspire and support everyday. I am so grateful for you. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by loved ones.

Naptime a Nightmare?

Babies need naps, and babies that have good nap habits have better nighttime sleep habits. They go hand in hand.

Children crave consistency. It is important to set a routine early, from birth, to help set the stage for years of good sleeping.

Here are a few general tips.

Under 3 Months. Newborns don't have working internal clocks yet. It isn't until they are between 6-10 weeks old, that they straighten out their days and nights. You want to start setting up their schedule by not letting them stay up for more than two hours at a time. For most newborns, two hours is too long. Look for the typical tired signs and admonish them.
Newborns are really good at sleep. They don't need any special accommodations. They will fall asleep any where, any time. It is tempting to want to always hold them while they sleep, or leave them in a car seat, swing or bouncer. Regardless, it is still important to put them down to nap in their bed. The same place you have them sleep at night. Set the stage for sleep: quiet, dim/dark, so they begin to make "sleep associations".

Between 3 and 6 Months. Babies during these months usually take 3 naps a day. You will most likely see a pattern developing with your babies sleep habits during the day. If you don't, you need to establish one (if you haven't already). It is important to have your child nap at the same times every day so that their internal clock becomes programmed. When a baby misses their sleep window their body actually fights against itself and makes it harder to fall asleep.
Boy, have I experienced this with our children. If I miss the "tired window", it is all over.

How do you set up a Nap Routine?
First nap of the day, put your baby in bed AWAKE (drowsy), just like you should do at night to go to bed. Hopefully your baby will fall asleep on their own. BUT, given that that rarely happens and there will be some crying: go back in at regular intervals. 5, 10 or 15 minute intervals depending on how severe the crying is and how comfortable you are listening to it. When you go in, keep your words to a minimum. A simple sentence of reassurance like "I love you" is perfect. Then, leave the room. Refrain from touching, coddling, etc... Continue the routine for an hour. If they still have not fallen asleep, pick them up. Give them an hour and a half to two hours and TRY AGAIN. Don't give up.

Falls asleep but wakes up 15 minutes later.
Don't give up. Ideally you want your babies to sleep for at least 45 minutes. If they wake up after 15, don't assume the nap is over. A cat nap just takes the edge off for your baby. It doesn't give them enough to sustain them. If your baby wakes up "early" let them be. Try to not take them out of their bed for a full hour even if they are awake.

6-9 Months. There is a misnomer. Parents think that if you keep kids up later, they will sleep longer in the morning. It is also easy to think that if we keep kids up all day without naps, that they will sleep better and longer at night. NOT TRUE. SLEEP ACTUALLY BEGETS SLEEP. Kids who nap during the day will sleep better at night. Kids who sleep well at night will take better naps.
During these months babies routines will start to change. Two hours between naps is usually too short. Now it will be closer to three, so babies will start to take two naps instead of three. This usually happens closer to 9 months than 6. Every child is different so if you have a tired child every two hours, put them down to sleep. Babies usually make this clear. With our kids, when I try for the third nap, they just sit in bed and play so I know it is time to make a change. Even though they don't go to sleep, I still use the third nap as quiet time.
If your baby is struggling with naps you should evaluate how they are sleeping at night.
Do they stay up too late?
Do you wait until they fall asleep somewhere on their own?
An over tired baby has a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep.

20-24 Months. Around two years old, babies might start to phase out their morning nap (go from 2 naps to 1). This will depend on the child, but it can also depend on how willing parents are to keep the routine going.  Keep at it. Don't give up on naps. Kids will often go through spells where they fight against them or appear to have grown out of them. Give them quiet time, allow them to sit and read or just rest in bed. If they are under 3 they still need one nap a day. Keep to the schedule.

We are huge advocates of naps in our house. That said, it is not always easy. Sticking to the schedule, enforcing the schedule on the days when no one is cooperating can be really frustrating. It has been worth all the effort. I have to structure my day and errands and appointments around when the kids need naps. And although it takes more on my part, a happy child is totally worth it.

You will find that a nap schedule brings predictability and security to your children. It will also even their temperament and make them happier. Making you happier.

Have you had success with naps?
Any napping tips?

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY! The Pulse Game

Another great group game for all the extended family and friends that are going to be around the next few weeks. 

You Will Need:

A coin

A chair

A tennis ball (or other small object)

Objective:

Be the first team to grab the ball on the chair.

TO PLAY:

1. Divide your group into two even teams.

2. Have each team stand in a straight line, facing each other.

3. Have each team hold hands.

4. One person needs to be designated as the referee. Have them stand or sit at the beginning of the lines. They will toss the coin. 

5. Only the two players nearest the referee can have their eyes open, all other team members MUST HAVE THEIR EYES CLOSED.

6. The referee flips the coin. If it lands on HEADS, the two players with their eyes open squeeze the hand of the player next to them, on their team. 

7. The players continue to pass the "squeeze" to the end of the line. (Eyes still closed). When the person on the end gets the "squeeze" they open their eyes and grab for the tennis ball on the chair.  

8. Whoever grabs the ball first gets a point.

9. If the coin lands on TAILS, nothing should happen. The coin will then be tossed again.

10. If the squeeze is passed and a player grabs the ball without the coin toss being heads, the point goes to the other team. Play to as many points as you want. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

ANYONE GONE SKIING YET?