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Hero Salute 2010

Here’s to the Heroes 2010

Free Admission to Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks for Military and up to Three Direct Dependents

The Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks have continued their Here’s to the Heroes program in 2010. During the 2010 season (check your local park to confirm hours) Sea World, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place will all offer free single day admission to military members and up to three of their direct dependents. We have taken advantage of the Hero Salute since 2005 and enjoyed our trips to Sea World!

I have to say the Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks really know how to support the troops! It might not be a big deal for them, but as a military family member the Hero’s Salute means a lot to me. They even honor military members throughout the park by recognizing them during certain shows and events. Thank you Anheuser-Busch for your commitment to our Troops.

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Bible in 90 Days Update

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I am so excited to begin reading my Bible in 90 Days on Friday. The Twitter party last week was really motivating and I am thrilled to be doing this with so many other great women.

Amy has said that one of the keys to success is having the The Bible in 90 Days Bible. I wasn’t sure if I believed it until my Bible arrived last week in the mail. There really is a difference. While it is possible to read through the Bible in 90 Days using your own Bible and the reading chart, the 90 Days Bible makes it much easier.

To that end, if you are genuinely committed to completing the reading in 90 days, yet the cost of buying another Bible is keeping you from using a Bible in 90 Days Bible, or participating at all, Bible in 90 Days.org will provide you with a Bible free of charge. Yes, you read that right– If you want to do this, Bible in 90 Days.org wants to equip you. Even for free, if need be.

Hop on over to the Contact page at Bible in 90Days.org and make your request. Since the challenge begins Friday, your new Bible will not make it to you in time… just start with whatever you can and pick up when the new one arrives. You’ll be glad you did.

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Reflecting on 2009 ~ Faithfulness

Our fabulous and fairly frugal trip to the Outer Banks.


I planned on taking a break from blogging this week, but then I realized that Laura was hosting her end of the year Gratituesday. Even though I don’t participate every week, this is one of my favorite blog carnivals because it causes me to stop and reflect on all the blessings in my life.

I cannot believe this year is almost over, it seems like yesterday we were celebrating New Years with a large group of friends from our church. So much as happened this year and there is so much to be thankful for, it is hard to put into one post.

March 2009: The Lord provided a new (to us) van that we were able to purchase with cash. We bought this van one day before I unexpectedly went on bed rest for the duration of the pregnancy.

April 2009: Cora. For those who have followed my site over the past year, you know how thankful we are to have her sleeping in a crib next to our bed every night.

May 2009: My husband’s promotion. I never thought this day would happen after dealing with his injuries for over a year and a half. I am so grateful we had a promotion party and not a retirement party.

July 2009: The big move. I am thankful the perfect house found us this summer. I don’t miss living on base at all, and I love being closer to so many of our friends.

August-October 2009: I am thankful that we survived my husband’s constant traveling during this time almost event free. We had one broken arm, but that was it. And in our family that is definitely a victory!

November 2009: My son shot his first and second deer. I am so proud of that young man and am excited to see what God is doing in his life.

December 2009: England (SQUEE!) and being able to spend Christmas with my parents for the first time in 10 years.

As I reflect on 2009, the word faithfulness comes to mind. Even though we had no idea what kind of year 2009 would be, God was faithful to us in every circumstance, good or bad. As I look ahead towards 2010, I have faith for the future, no matter what lies ahead.

What are you thankful for this year?

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Merry Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas from The Happy House!

I’m taking a bloggy vacation next week. I’ll be back on January 1st with my 2010 goals and a linky so you can share your goals too.

See you next year!

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Real Family Photos

Seven kids, seven smiles, and who knows how many teeth? I have given up trying to get everyone to look at the camera, at the same time, and smile. Oh, and not put something in front of their face, or wave their hands in the air, or cry. Perhaps they can not pull the hair of the child next to them, not squint in the sun, or remove something from their nose. Maybe they can all remain standing for the 30 seconds it takes for me to snap the photo…

We have tried professional photographers, amateur photographers, and friends. The last great family picture we took was in 2002, and my husband and I aren’t in it. So, for the entire world (or at least those who read this blog) to see, here is our 2009 Family Christmas Photo.

Please don’t let me suffer alone! I know you have some great REAL family photos you want to share with me, if only to make me feel just a little bit better at my failed family photo attempts this year. Link up with your favorite REAL family photo. Remember to link to your blog post, not your blog home page, and link back to The Happy Housewife so others can participate too. The more the merrier!

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Weight Watchers Stocking Stuffer Giveaway

Weight Watchers didn’t want to be left out of the fabulous giveaways I hosted this week so they are stuffing one of my reader’s stockings with some treats.

The stocking is filled with Weight Watchers by Whitman’s chocolate candies (yum!), vouchers for Weight Watchers sweet baked goods, and two different cookbooks to help you make delicious and healthy meals that are Weight Watchers plan friendly. Of course even if you aren’t on the Weight Watchers plan, healthy meal ideas are always a good thing!

Weight Watcher has also created this cool widget that allows you to find healthier substitutes for your snack cravings. You can also find coupons for Weight Watchers products.

You can also get a FREE subscription to Weight Watchers magazine. Visit Money Saving Mom for all the details.

To enter to win the stocking leave a comment. Giveaway ends Monday December 21st!

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Toy and Product Recall Finder ~ Updated

Parents.com has updated their Toy and Product Recall Finder.  Keep your kids safe this year, by making sure their toys are not on the naughty list.

They also have plenty of activities to make the Christmas holidays a special time for the family, and keep your kids busy during the winter break.

Christmas traditions – Family activities that can grow into Christmas traditions, such as visiting a tree farm each year, giving to people in need outside of the family, and participating in neighborhood Christmas caroling.

Christmas printables – Cut outs of paper ornaments for kids to color and decorate and easy-to-make gift tags that kids can personalize.

Christmas crafts – ideas for handmade gifts and ornaments, featuring everything from handmade ribbon ball ornaments, light bulb snowmen, gingerbread ornaments, to felt stockings and creative wreaths. It’s not too late to get crafty and make a few homemade gifts this year.

Finally if you are looking for timeless toys that you played with as a kid, check out their classic toys recommendations. Dozen of the classic toys inducted into the Strong National Museum of Play’s National Hall of Fame.  These toys, many of which have been revamped for today’s kids, include basic Crayola crayons, Legos, and even the Radio Flyer wagon.

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Bible in 90 Days ~ Will You Read with Me?

The following is a guest post from my sister-in-love who blogs at Mom’s Toolbox. If you want to know why I am joining her in this challenge you can read my perspective over at Mom’s Toolbox.


Have you ever thought about reading the Bible… the whole thing, from start to finish?

I thought about it for years, and even attempted a few times on my own, before I discovered Bible in 90 Days, joined a group at my church and read the whole thing without stopping, cover to cover.

I was so blown away by the experience that I offered to facilitate it at my next church and have since facilitated several more times, trained facilitators and now plan to host an online community via my blog, Moms Toolbox.

If you have ever considered reading the whole Bible, I cannot recommend strongly enough that you join me January 1- March 31, 2010, as I read and blog through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, bit by bit, in order, every day.

If you would like to join our online community, here’s what you’ll need to do:

  • Plan to set aside about an hour each day from January 1- March 31 for an incredibly enriching experience.
  • Get your hands on a Bible in 90 Days Bible from www.biblein90days.org, or your local Christian bookstore.
  • Consider also purchasing the Bible in 90 Days Participant’s Guide which offers weekly questions for you ponder to gain more insight from your reading. (I’ll be using these questions for our weekly Twitter meet-ups.)
  • Consider purchasing the Bible in 90 Days Essential Bible Companion, which offers a snapshot of information to help you make it through each week’s reading without getting distracted by researching on the internet.
  • Bookmark my site, www.MomsToolbox.com, and plan to visit January 1- March 31 after you have completed each day’s reading to see what I learned and report in that you have read for the day.
  • Follow me on Twitter and plan to be on Twitter every Monday night of the program from 9-10 CST (much like a study meeting—just online!) when we can ask and answer each other’s questions. Use and look for the #B90Days hashtag for our group discussion.

I would bet some of you are asking “Why this particular Bible?” Here’s why:

The official The Bible in 90 Days Bible is an NIV Bible, so it is an easy-to-read direct translation. This edition has large type, minimal footnotes and indicates where you should start and stop reading each day. Sure, you could accomplish this goal using your own Bible, but the statistics point to a huge success ratio for those using this official Bible.

Although we won’t be meeting in person, my prayer is that via almost-daily online communication on my blog, as well as on Twitter we can still hold each other accountable, helping each other to accomplish our goal to read every word of the Bible attentively in 90 days.

I’d love to encourage you in this endeavor. It has been life-changing for me.

I cannot express how much reading the bible in 90 days has helped me with every study I have participated in and every sermon I have heard since then. I now know the context of the stories. I know where to find them… and I can clearly see how they are related. And to read about Christ and the fulfillment of countless prophesies just after you’ve read about those prophesies is amazing!

If you’re up for the challenge, I’m up for encouraging you every step of the way.

Pray about it. Think about it… And click on over to Mom’s Toolbox to let me know if you’d like to join in the challenge and to learn more. But do it soon so you’ll be ready to start 2010 in His Word… all of it!

Hope to see you there!

** If you still have questions, plan to follow me on Twitter and join me for our first Twitter chat this Monday, December 21 from 9-10 CST.

Bible in 90 Days Giveaway

For those of you who are interested in reading along with us, I have one copy of the Bible in 90 Days Bible plus a study guide to give to one reader. Please leave a comment letting me know you are interested in participating.