A Story Before Bed: How Can You Help Military Parents?

With the rise of technology, we are able to connect with others across great distances. We can telephone our grandparents, video chat our spouses, and send emails and texts to our close friends. Of course, nothing can replace the physical sensation of being near someone you care about, but we can always rely on the next best thing.

No one understands this better than Hillel Cooperman, who founded A Story Before Bed, a program that allows parents who are away from their children overnight to video themselves reading a bedtime story and then let their children watch it later that evening. The videos can be saved for future use as well. The service has over 150 books to choose from, and it allows users to buy a year-long subscription for around $30 or to pay for video-stories individually, which are then saved to their account.

The latest news, however, from A Story Before Bed, is that the company has made available 100,000 free stories to United States soldiers currently deployed or soon-to-be deployed so that they can record stories for their children to watch and listen to while they are gone. According to their website, "The team behind A Story Before Bed is dedicated to connecting children with parents, grandparents, and loved ones through reading. And we're especially dedicated to connecting families and loved ones who can't always be together. When parents give up seeing their children for weeks or months at a time in the service of their country, we want to do our small part." So far, the site claims to have given away approximately 5,000 stories.

This latest move on behalf of our troops who are also parents is a great reminder that there are those of us who cannot always be with their children. It raises the question: if a company such as this is willing to donate some of its income to helping others, then what could we individual parents do towards this same goal? A Story Before Bed doesn't actually have a way to donate to their cause; however, one of the obvious things you can do is support them by purchasing a story for you and your children. You can also spread word of their gift drive to other parents.

There are certainly other things you can do that aren't directly associated with A Story Before Bed. You can support programs like Books on Bases, Smiles on Faces, which is administered by Blue Star Families. Or consider sending care packages through a program like AnySoldier. Or have your kids write a soldier through Letters to Soldiers. The important thing is that you see the action others have taken, and try to do your own little part.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Kitty Holman, who writes on the topics of nursing schools. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: kitty.holman20@gmail.com.

TwiceToddlers (No More) Wearing Their Hello Kitty Sweaters

Over the weekend, my family went to our new Macy's store. The department store that had originally been there shut their doors. Over the past month, Macy's moved in and it is very nice. Although, at first glance, I thought it looked a bit like the other department store.

Anyway, the first section we walked into was the children's clothing department. And, the first thing we saw were Hell Kitty clothes. Now, last year, I could not find a single sweater for my twins to wear. So, when I saw these adorable Hello Kitty sweaters, I knew I had to get one for my girls.

Twin "B" was standing next to me and I asked which one she wanted. She picked the one with Hello Kitty and and Cupcake. So, that is what I got them.

Today, I had them wear it to school since it was a bit chilly this morning. Twin "A" wore the sweater with her cute jeans and Twin "B" wore hers with pink tight-like pants.

This is my twins making their Peanut Butter sandwiches, looking at Mommy taking photos of them. I think you can see the Hello Kitty on their sweaters.

For Conference and Video Calls, it's Time to Use the Conference Genie

The Conference Genie company was established in 2006. Now, this is the number one conference call service provider in the UK. The reason for Conference Genie being number one is due to their low charges and pioneering services.

One way to save your business when it comes to travelling to business meetings is to sign up for with Conference Genie. Their technology, which was developed in-house, will support various UK and European service providers. This conference call service was built using the latest digital technology. This digital technology allows it's uses to receive quality, crystal clear calls. The Conference Genie is innovative and leads the way to providing unique features, like Video Conferencing, Dial Out and on-line control features, to their clients. Each of these features are what every business needs. These features, in the long run, will save any size business for having to to make unnecessary travel arrangements.

When it comes to conference calling, there are three ways your office can use conference calling. There is the Conference Genie GO, Conference Genie Plus and Conference Genie Pro. The Conference Genie GO allows you to have a conference call service for free. The only think you pay for is the cost of your telephone call. In fact, there is no need to tell Conference Genie when you place a call or who you are calling. All you have to do is enter your email address, it's that simple and takes less than a minute.

If it is important for you to see your overseas, or right next door business partners, you can now use video conferencing. This feature let's you share your work and make presentations, in real time. The best thing about using Video Conferencing is, there is no software needed. All you need an Internet connection and you are in business.

When it comes to pricing, this is the one and only conference calling company you need. The anytime and weekend times, after 6PM, are amazing.

Right now is the time to look at and sign your company up to use Conference Genie. Once signed up, you will wonder what took so long to do so.

TwiceToddlers (No More) Singing "I Pledge Allegiance"

My twins are allowed to sing "I Pledge Allegiance" in their kindergarten class. That makes me happy, indeed. So, when my twins come home from school, they begin singing "I Pledge Allegiance" in the Family Room. It is so cute as they do not sing it word for word. My twins love to sing and dance. In fact, that is all they would do all day, if allowed.

Anyway, I told my twins to stand next to their Princess Tent and begin singing "I Pledge Allegiance". So, here I am counting down for them to sing. It is just adorable.

TwiceToddlers( No More) and New Vitamins

A couple weeks ago, I was looking at the ingredients in my twins name brand multi vitamins. Well, when I found out what was in them, I threw them out and began looking for something with natural ingredients.

There is this online vitamin company I use for myself and went on this website looking for natural, no chemicals, vitamins for my twins. It took two weeks to get them, but when I opened the vitamins, I had no idea they would be so big.

Anyway, Twin A has had no problem chewing it. Twin B, on the other hand, has been fussing about chewing them. Today, I told her, "Mommy is looking to keep you healthy honey. You need to chew these, with water if you want, to keep you healthy. Especially if you do not want to go to your doctor."

I said, "Winter is here and this means your friends will be sick a lot. I do not want you do get sick. These new vitamins, even though they are big, will keep you healthy. They are full of vitamin C and Zinc, which keep you healthy. Stop fussing about the size. Just take it with water and you will be fine."

Twin B,more than Twin A, gives me trouble over almost everything. Twin A will go with the flow...

Carmex Healing Lotion and Healing Cream for Your Dry Hands and So Much More

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Carmex®. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was recently asked to sample these lotion and cream products. I was given the 5.5 oz Carmex Healing Lotion, 4 oz Carmex Healing Cream and 1 oz Carmex Healing Lotion. The 1 oz Healing Lotion is perfect for putting in your car or purse.

When I received my package, I opened it up and quickly rubbed some Carmex Healing Cream on my dry hands. I really love the cream because it is to as runny as lotions tend to be. The Carmex Healing Cream is my favorite, by far, and is concentrated. This is, of course, the main reason I like using this more.

The Carmex® Healing Lotion and Carmex® Healing Cream is excellent for anyplace on your body that is rough and dry. Depending on how you plan to use the lotion or cream, it is a good idea to purchase both of them. After taking a shower or bath, you will more likely than not, want to use the lotion. If you want to soften your hands in an instant, then the cream would be a better choice. This cream is also excellent for your dry elbows and feet.

The healing ingredients used in the lotion and cream is vitamin E and Aloe Vera. If you are looking for a lotion or cream that is not greasy, them this is the product for you. Honestly, nobody wants greasy lotion on their skin and clothes, right?

With the weather getting cooler, now is the time to get yourself some Carmex® Healing Lotion and Carmex® Healing Cream. These would also make great gifts.

Looking For Fun Ways to Exercise at Home?

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PlayStation MOVE. All opinions are 100% mine.

It seems everyone wants to get and stay fit at home. So, let's imagine if you will, that a genie appears to you and gives you and your family a PlayStation® Move. How would this change your family? It is highly likely you and your family would stay in more often and play games on your television. In fact, Mom and Dad could play games together and siblings to play against each other too.

Just imagine how much fun you can have in your family room. This fun can happen during the week and weekend. When you purchase the PlayStation Move, your family can also have a week of exercise for the whole family. Now, exercise can be fun and there will be no need to join that gym again.

If you are wondering what games you can play on the PlayStation Move, well you can play more than ten games. There are games for adults and children. Various games that can be played are Brunswick Pro Bowling, John Daley's Pro Golf and for the kids, Start the Party and EyePet.

Now, if you already have a PlayStation 3, all you have to do is purchase the MOVE bundle package for only $99. That is a great package deal for those who already have the PlayStation 3.

It looks like right now is the best time to purchase your families PlayStation Move. This would be an excellent birthday or Christmas gift too.

TwiceToddlers (No More) Playing in Red Wagons

My twins still play with their red wagons. These are plastic red wagons and along with placing their stuffed animals and other toys in their wagons, they like to sit in their wagons too.

When they were smaller, Mommy and Daddy would run them around the backyard in their wagons. We would have races in their wagons and they loved it. Of course, once their began to get older and heavier, Mommy and Daddy had to stop running them around the backyard in their light plastic red wagons.

Now, they still today, place their animals, music instruments and whatever they can fit, into their wagons.

I am not sure how much longer they will use this red wagons, but they were a great gift I got them for their birthday when they were two years old.

TwiceToddlers (No More) and Halloween Costume

For two years now my twins have had a Cinderella costume for play. They have never worn it for Halloween and it got me thinking, they should actually wear it this year for Halloween.

To be honest, I am not a fan of this "holiday". When the Fall season arrives, I do not decorate my home with anything representing this "holiday". Instead, I decorate my home with Fall colors of brown, yellow and orange. I also place fake gourds on my fireplace and sometimes outside my home. Sometimes, I will turn on a clear string of lights on my fireplace as well.

Anyway, this year, my twins will be dressing up as Cinderella. Since the dress and shoes they already have, I purchased this Cinderella purse, pearls and gloves set. Oh and since it will be real cold on this evening, I purchased a white long sleeve shirt for them to wear. I will probably have them wearing pants under the dress too, for extra warmth.

**As a side note, I too will be dressing up this year. My twins keep asking me to dress up, so I purchased a costume as well. Oh, I am such a good Mommy....**

TwiceToddlers (No More) Go To Seasonal Fall Farm

Last night, our family went to a local family farm that has rides for kids of all ages. Since my twins were two years old, we have been going here. Every year, we take photographs of our time at this local farm. This time, since we went in the evening, and on a weekday, the photo booth was not open. So, as we were in the pumpkin patch, I asked someone if they would take a family photo of us.

Usually when we go to this farm, we also take a tram ride around the farm and do other things. This time, because we went in the evening, our girls did not do as much.

Here are some photos from last night. I did my best to fix our family photo. I had to use the flash so the photo does not look as natural as it should have.

The Venetian Mirror Boutique for All Your Mirror Needs

Mirrors are used in various ways. A mirror is used to see you reflection, apply make-up and fix your hair. A mirror is also used in decorating a wall, a jewelry box and many other ways. When looking for any stylish mirror, the first place you need to go to is the Venetian Mirror Boutique. The Venetian Mirror Boutique sells a wide range of mirrors for your walls, vanity table, jewelry boxes, picture frames and so much more. The Venetian Mirror Boutique has been in business since 2001, shipping over a thousands of their mirrors to satisfied clients, worldwide.

If you are looking for designer mirrors, the Venetian Designer Mirrors are what you must look at. There are over forty designer mirrors to look at and choose from. Some mirrors are round, oval, square, rectangle and heart shaped. All of these mirrors have a classic elegance to them and take you back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Every mirror is intricate and elaborate. These mirrors are hand-etched, hand-beveled, hand-cut and hand-polished by a factory in the Phillipines. Every mirror is crafted with care and dedication to those who love fancy mirrors.

Finally, if the mirrors above are amazing to you, then the Venetian Table Mirrors will also amaze you. There are over ten Venetian Table Mirrors which are round, heart shaped, square and one hand held mirror as well. If you have a vanity table in your bedroom or bathroom, anyone of these mirrors would add charm and sophistication to your sitting area.

Not only are these mirrors a great addition to your home, they make for great birthday gifts or holiday gifts. These designer mirrors will have your family and friends talking. In fact, they will want to know where you purchased your mirros so they too can purchase one, or two.

TwiceToddlers on Mommy's Birthday

Last month was my birthday. Yup, I turned the big 4-0!! Alright...so, like I said in a previous article, my parents drove up and surprised me at the restaurant! I had no idea they were going to be here to celebrate with me. I was just so surprised and amazed they drove six hours to see and celebrate with me.

We all met and ate at a mexican chain restaurant in town. My girls had a blast. They could not sit still and just loved sitting on Mommy and of course, blowing out my candles on the cake. My hubby got an ice cream cake from Cold Stone. It was a delicious coffee cake ice cream and we all had a slice. The perfect size for, I think, sixteen people.

Here are some photos from the my party.

Thank you Mom and Dad for coming up to see and celebrate with me. I LOVE YOU!!

TwiceToddlers and Birthday Parties

My twin girls, they love anything and everything to do with a birthday and birthday parties. If my twins were not talking or singing about something to do with birthday's everyday, something would be wrong!

So this week, my twins have had two friends celebrating their birthday's at school. Today, my twins had to wear a beautiful dress for the party. Twin A worn the dress Nana made them and Twin B worn the "round and round" dress Nana purchased for them. They each wore a cute, floral, headband. One headband I got in the dollar bin at a major retailer and the other headband came with this cute TuTu, also from this same retailer.

It is very rare my twins are not dressing alike. Today, they knew exactly what they wanted to wear for this party. My twins are very girlie and at the same time love sports too.

I love seeing my twins wearing beautiful, floral, headbands and cute hats. Twin A, more than Twin B, always proclaims, "I am a Princess" and wants to be a Princess when she grows up...

I LOVE TWIN A AND TWIN B!!! My precious TwiceBabies!!

TwiceToddlers and Napping

So here I am again, talking about naps. A couple weeks ago, my twins, Mommy and Daddy tried to 86 the naps. In previous article posts, I have said I would stop the napping at ages 6 or 7. Well, it looks like I may stick to this schedule.

My twins really, really need their afternoon nap. They are just not ready to say goodbye to their naps. I say this because they get fussy, whiny and just have total attitude problems. Now, I really like nap time, but I am not a fan of Twin B waking up and crying. Twin A wakes up all happy and ready to go. But, Twin B,more times than not, wakes up crying. It is as if she wants to keep sleeping or goodness...I have no idea why she wakes up crying...

Anyway, my twins will remain taking their naps until their growing bodies no longer need them.

TwiceToddlers and Photographs

This weekend, my family got Fall Family Photographs taken from one of my friends. She is a professional photographer. We met at a local park near her home. My girls had gone to this park when they were in daycare a couple years ago.

The park is very big and so awesome. There are big and beautiful trees all over the park, three playgrounds, a tennis court, a large grassy area for playing soccer, football and whatever sport needs extra room.

There is also a man-made stream near the street, at the bottom of the park area.

Anyway, Twin A was very good and cooperated, on the other hand, Twin B was not as cooperative, but we finally got the photos I wanted.

I can not wait to get the photos, in about two weeks. These photos will replace the ones we took, as a family, when my twins were one year old. Right before they began to walk.

Here is my friends photography website: Charleenfotografie

When you are ready to take family, wedding, new baby photographs, check out her website first.

Why Storing Your Babies Cord Blood is Important

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of CryoCell International. All opinions are 100% mine.

This cord blood process is nothing new. I remember seeing ads in all the baby magazines I received when I was pregnant. At the time I was pregnant with my twins, this was something I thought about doing, but never did. I really had no idea what Cryo-Cell meant. Now, I do know what Cryo-Cell is and and what it can do for your baby. CryoCell will store your babies stem cells for future use. These are your babies stem cells from their from umbilical cord blood. This means, your baby or no future baby, will be harmed in anyway. The best chance for healing of any disease, is by a doctor using your babies own stem cells.

In fact, when a doctor uses your babies own stem cells, they are known to treat over 75 diseases, and have already been used in approximately 12,000 transplants worldwide. In addition to the value of these stem cells today, research is ongoing for a number of potential medical miracles in the future.

Right now, when it comes to banking your baby’s cord blood in these trying economic times, superior quality and best value are hard to find. When you bank your babies cord blood with Cryo-Cell, you and your family will receive the most for your money. Cryo-Cell is having a special limited-time offer where you can save up to 25% off storing your babies blood. This is because Cryo-Cell believes there is nothing more important than protecting your baby’s future.

If you want to compare other cord blood banks to Cryo-Cell, you can do this right now. This is the link you can click on http://www.comparecordbloodbanks.com/ to see the differences between other cord blood banks. When you look at the differences, it will become clear to you that this is the best place to store your babies cord blood.