Stick It To 'Em! {GIVEAWAY}

When you're my age you start dreading birthdays, but when you have a baby, every month is worth celebrating! And that means you want pictures showing what your sweetie pie looks like at each and every one of these milestones. You know, kind of like this:

Aren't those onesies adorable? You're probably calculating in your head how much it would cost to buy 12 of them just for the purpose of taking monthly birthday pictures. Not to worry! All you need is a set of milestone stickers from Sticky Bellies.

Each month, stick one to a plain onesie, tee or other top and presto - you have the perfect way to record your baby's first year!

This set is called "Sew Cute" because they appear to be sewn on appliques instead of stickers.  And I love that the colors are gender neutral so you can give a pack of Sticky Bellies to an expectant mom even if she doesn't know what she's having. 

Sticky Bellies decals are just $15 for a set of 12 for baby (1-12 months).  For photos this cute, that's one of the best bargains around!

And at the Sticky Bellies online store, you can also buy adorable leggings like the ones above to go along with the stickers, as well as photo frames and brag books to show off your great shots.  You've got all the makings for a fabulous shower or new baby gift all in one place.  Talk about one-stop shopping!   

And do I have a treat for you!  Sticky Bellies has generously offered to give away not one, but two sets of the "Sew Cute" Milestone Stickers here on AFOMFT!  That means we're going to draw two winners.  To enter, post a comment here telling me who you'll give the stickers to (or if you'll keep them for yourself!) if you win (this is mandatory).  For additional entries:

• Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber
• "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook -- http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN
• "Like" Sticky Bellies on Facebook
• Ask your friends to "like" AFOMFT on Facebook by sending them this link - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN - and post a comment here with the names of each one who does.  You'll earn one entry per new friend who "likes" our page and names will be cross-checked.
• Follow AFOMFT on Twitter (@AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  #Win a set of Milestone Stickers for your little one from Sticky Bellies @AFOMFT - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
• Click here to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did - .  You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
• Grab our button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
• Blog about AFOMFT or this giveaway (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and post a link to the post.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post.  Comments on Facebook will not count as entries.  This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends August 2nd at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on August 3rd. If the winner doesn't contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

Images: Sticky Bellies

PICTURE OF THE WEEK CONTEST WINNERS & NEXT WEEK'S THEME!

In case you didn't notice the side of the site, the winners of this week's Picture of the Week Contest are Oliver, Miles, Linus & their mommy (the reader vote):

And Ginny, picked by this week's judge!

Congratulations little ones - you'll each be getting a $15 American Express gift card in the mail, courtesy of our fabulous sponsor, Lil LJ.

The next Picture of the Week theme is KIDS & PRESENTS.  Whether your little ones are tearing the paper off or enjoying a new gift, we want to see your kids with their presents!  And since next week is Christmas, we're extending the deadline.  Here's how the contest works:

You have until 11:59 pm EST Monday, December 28th, to e-mail the photo you want to enter to afomft@gmail.com.  All of the pictures will be posted on Tuesday morning and voting will start.  You can send a link to the POTW poll to anyone you want so it's up to you how all out you want to go!

Voting will continue until Thursday, December 31st at 11:59 EST and I'll announce the picture that received the most votes along with a second photo picked by an impartial judge on Friday.  Not only will the two winners have a place of honor on AFOMFT for a week but the people who submitted the winning photos will also receive a fantastic prize.  What are you waiting for?  Send your favorite pictures with Santa our way!

The fine print:

• Only one photo may be entered per child per week.  If you have more than one child, you may enter a photo of each of them but only one of each child will be included in the contest. 
• You must have the rights to any photos submitted.  
• Please only submit pictures that have been taken within the past three months.
• If your submission was taken by a photographer, include their credit.

Just a Few Hours Left....

To cast your vote in the AFOMFT PICTURE OF THE WEEK CONTEST!  You can see all of the entries and vote here.  The winners will be announced tomorrow.

GET YOUR POTW VOTE ON!

The entries are in for this week's PICTURE OF THE WEEK CONTEST.  Check out these super sweet Santa Babies! 

Entry #1:

The Alexander Boys

Entry #2:

Alex, Ben & Nate

Entry #3:

Emily, Dylan, Ayden and their cousin

Entry #4:

Ginny

Entry #5:

Gracie, Tate & Bennett

Entry #6:

Jack & Finn

Entry #7:

Jackson

Entry #8:

Oliver, Miles, Linus & mommy

Cast your vote now!

Which Santa Baby picture is your favorite?

Voting will be open until Thursday, December 17th at 11:59 pm EST and the winner of the voting as well as the judge's pick will both be announced on Friday, December 18th. Good luck to everybody!

Don't forget to send us your picture with Santa!

The deadline for this week's Picture of the Week contest is tonight.  The theme is SANTA BABIES so whether your little ones are smiling in delight or screaming in terror, we want to see your pictures with Santa!  We've got some terrific entries already like this one of  Gracie, Tate and Bennett:

I love how Santa looks more upset than the kids do!  Now let's see yours.  Here's how the contest works:

You have until 11:59 pm EST today, Monday, December 14th, to e-mail the photo you want to enter to afomft@gmail.com.  All of the pictures will be posted tomorrow morning and voting will start.  You can send a link to the POTW poll to anyone you want so it's up to you how all out you want to go!

Voting will continue until Thursday, December 17th at 11:59 EST and I'll announce the picture that received the most votes along with a second photo picked by an impartial judge on Friday.  Not only will the two winners have a place of honor on AFOMFT for a week but the people who submitted the winning photos will also receive a fantastic prize.  What are you waiting for?  Send your favorite pictures with Santa our way!

The fine print:

• Only one photo may be entered per child per week.  If you have more than one child, you may enter a photo of each of them but only one of each child will be included in the contest. 
• You must have the rights to any photos submitted.  
• Please only submit pictures that have been taken within the past three months.
• If your submission was taken by a photographer, include their credit. 
• There is no age limit.
  

PICTURE OF THE WEEK CONTEST WINNERS & NEXT WEEK'S THEME!

In case you didn't notice the side of the site, the winners of this week's Picture of the Week Contest are Sophie & Lily (the reader vote):

And The Alexander Boys, picked by this week's judge, Kate from Cozy Toes by Kathydee!

Congratulations little ones - you'll each be getting a $15 American Express gift card in the mail, courtesy of our fabulous sponsor, Lil LJ.

The next Picture of the Week theme is SANTA BABIES.  Whether your little ones are smiling in delight or screaming in terror, we want to see your pictures with Santa!  Need some inspiration?  Here are my munchkins visiting the big guy:

Here's how the contest works:

You have until 11:59 pm EST Monday, December 14th, to e-mail the photo you want to enter to afomft@gmail.com.  All of the pictures will be posted on Tuesday morning and voting will start.  You can send a link to the POTW poll to anyone you want so it's up to you how all out you want to go!

Voting will continue until Thursday, December 17th at 11:59 EST and I'll announce the picture that received the most votes along with a second photo picked by an impartial judge on Friday.  Not only will the two winners have a place of honor on AFOMFT for a week but the people who submitted the winning photos will also receive a fantastic prize.  What are you waiting for?  Send your favorite pictures with Santa our way!

The fine print:

• Only one photo may be entered per child per week.  If you have more than one child, you may enter a photo of each of them but only one of each child will be included in the contest. 
• You must have the rights to any photos submitted.  
• Please only submit pictures that have been taken within the past three months.
• If your submission was taken by a photographer, include their credit.

Just a Few Hours Left....

To cast your vote in the AFOMFT PICTURE OF THE WEEK CONTEST!  You can see all of the entries and vote here.  The winners will be announced tomorrow.

Therapeutic hobbies : Nature walks and Photography

Dear Friends,

Thanks for stopping by and all your prayers and encouragements.

Recently, I went for a walk at Hort Park, Singapore. It is a beautiful park with flowers and plant. It is so good to get out of the house and immerse myself in the beauties of nature and God's creations.

I love flowers. Somehow their beauties reminded me that we have a God Who not only creates but care for us. He clothes the flowers and feed the sparrows, surely He will take care of me and all of His beloved people no matter what we may have to go through in this world.

I love photography too. It gives me a sense of accomplishment whenever I am able to take a good photo and capture some of the beauties of God's creations. I am having problem uploading new photos, so here I am using some photos I took the last time I went to Hort Park.

So spending time in nature and photography has become 2 very therapeutic hobbies for me. They help me to slow down, relax and connect with nature. These are very helpful to me in managing depression and bipolar disorder.

Thanks for stopping by, dear friends! Thanks for all your prayers and encouragements. Your friendship, prayers, encouragements and concerns have been used by God to be a great encouragement to me!

The thought of God and you encourages my heart daily. May God bless each of you in His special ways.

Hope you have a blessed weekends! Take care.

²⁶Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
²⁷Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
²⁸And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
²⁹And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Matthew 6:26-29

Warm regards,
Nancie

24 September 2009

Christ's intercessory prayers

(I took this photo of the Orchid flower at a Flower exhibition in Singapore.This flower’s actual name is Vanda Miss Joaquim.It was said to be first discovered in the garden of Miss Agnes Joaquim in Singapore in 1893. On 15 April 1981, this flower was chosen as the national flower of Singapore.)

Dear Friends,

Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks for stopping by my combined Word-Filled Wednesday and Thankful Thursday post. (This post was originally posted on Monday.)

♥ Thank God for seeing us through another week. Trust you have had a very restful and blessed weekend and Lord's day.

♥ Thank God for blessing my time of worship, fellowship and serving our Lord together with my brethren in church.

♥ Thank God for granting a few of my church friends and I the joy and opportunity of visiting some elderly members and parents in hospital and at home. It is a joy to see them trusting in the Lord despite their infirmities. There were also opportunities to share the Gospel with those who have yet to know our Lord Jesus Christ.

♥ Recently, I read CH Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, and greatly encouraged by the reminder that our Lord Jesus Christ is praying for us and interceding for us even as we seek to walk with Him in ways that well pleasing to Him.

In this life, we experience various ups and downs. We are sinners saved by grace living in an imperfect world. It is encouraging to remember that our Lord is with us always to give us grace and strength to walk with Him and serve Him. And He is our intercessor before our Heavenly Father's throne of grace daily. Nothing can happen to us without God's knowledge and consent. God in His mercies, is working all things for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28).

Let us persevere in prayers and walking with our Lord and serve Him, knowing that He loves us and is ever interceding for us that we may live for His glory.

Hope the following devotional thoughts from Spurgeon will encourage you too that our Lord Jesus Christ is interceding for you as you trust in Him.

“I have prayed for thee.”
Luke 22:32

HOW encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer’s never- ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, He pleads for us; and when we are not praying, He is advocating our cause, and by His supplications shielding us from unseen dangers.

Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter—“Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat; but”—what? “But go and pray for yourself.” That would be good advice, but it is not so written. Neither does he say, “But I will keep you watchful, and so you shall be preserved.” That were a great blessing. No, it is, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.”

We little know what we owe to our Saviour’s prayers. When we reach the hill-tops of heaven, and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God hath led us, how we shall praise Him who, before the eternal throne, undid the mischief which Satan was doing upon earth.

How shall we thank Him because He never held His peace, but day and night pointed to the wounds upon His hands, and carried our names upon His breastplate! Even before Satan had begun to tempt, Jesus had forestalled him and entered a plea in heaven. Mercy outruns malice.

Mark, He does not say, “Satan hath sifted you, and therefore I will pray,” but “Satan hath desired to have you.” He checks Satan even in his very desire, and nips it in the bud.

He does not say, “But I have desired to pray for you.” No, but “I have prayed for you: I have done it already; I have gone to court and entered a counterplea even before an accusation is made.”

O Jesus, what a comfort it is, that Thou hast pleaded our cause against our unseen enemies; countermined their mines, and unmasked their ambushes.

Here is a matter for joy, gratitude, hope, and confidence.

(Taken from CH Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, 11 January, Evening)

♥ Thank God for providing my family, church brethren and blogging friends who continue to care and encourage me in many ways.

♥ I am thankful to God once again for all of you, my dear blogging friends and visitors. I have been so greatly blessed by all of you and I thank God upon every remembrance of you. It is wonderful to read of how God is guiding and blessing you in your walk with our Lord and it encourages me in my walk with God too. Thanks again for your prayers and encouragements.

Thanks for stopping by. Take care and have a great week ahead!

Before they call, I will answer (Isaiah 65:24)

(I took this picture near my house during a brisk-walk session)

Dear Friends,

A very blessed and joyous new year to you!

Thanks for stopping by my combined Word-Filled Wednesday and Thankful Thursday post. This post was originally posted on Monday.

♥ Thank God for seeing us through another year of walking with Him and serving Him. May God grant us a closer walk with Him and a deeper love and devotion to Him.

♥ Thank God for granting me a very refreshing and fruitful weekend and Lord's day of worship, fellowship and service. Trust you too have had a very blessed and restful weekend!

♥ Thank God for preserving and restoring the health of Madam Chan. I shared about a wonderful reunion with her recently after 10 years interval. Madam Chan is 92 years old and came to know the Lord more than 10 years ago and I was then given the privilege to minister to her. Thank God that she was baptised recently on 7 December 2008.

Madam Chan was very sick last week and I thought the Lord might take her home. Thank God for restoring her health and she is better now. She is continuing to trust in the Lord and waiting upon Him to call her home to Himself. She is full of thanfkulness to our Lord despite her bodily afflictions. She is a wonderful encouragement to me and my brethren.

♥ Thank God for providing my family, church brethren and blogging friends who continue to care and encourage me in many ways.

♥ Thank God He knows our every need and will provide for us. A friend and brother-in-Christ send me this very very encouraging story of God knowing our needs and providing for us even before we ask Him. May this encouraging story encourages our heart in this new year as we walk with our Lord Jesus Christ and serve Him, trusting in His love and mercies that He will provide for all our needs spiritually and physically.

Isaiah 65:24 "Before they call, I will answer"

This story was written by a doctor who worked in South Africa

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator).

We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in.

Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates). "And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.

"All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died

During prayer time, one ten-year old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. "Please, God" she prayed, "send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon."

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?"

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say,"Amen". I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything, the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door.

By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was a large twenty-two pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children.

Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out - yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly too!"

Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted!

Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?"

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon."

"Before they call, I will answer" (Isaiah 65:24)

(My friend, AR, took this picture at Changi Airport, Singapore)

Thanks for stopping by. Take care and have a great week ahead!

God is our refuge and strength

This picture is taken by my brother, Arthur, at Muriwai Beach, New Zealand.

Psalm 46
1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

It's been quite sometime since I last participated in Word-Filled Wednesday. I do miss all the encouraging WFW friends and posts.

Today I am thankful to be reminded that God is our refuge and strength. Thank God that He loves us and He is with us always.

May God continue to bless you with His love and mercies today and every day :)


Thanks for stopping by. Take care!

Recent Posts:

Beloved and yet afflicted

Thankful Thursday : Reunion with an old friend

Thankful Thursday : Free Calendars 2009 and Bookmarks

God delivers us out of our depths - Psalm 130

God is our refuge and strength - Psalm 46

Resting in God

The Cures for Clinical Depression - Some helpful Tips

The Causes of Clinical Depression

Myths about Mental Illness

In remembrance of my Counsellor and a Tribute to her

Enjoying God's creations and photography : My therapeutic hobbies

Dear Friends,

Thanks for stopping by. Thanks for your prayers and encouragements.

♥ I am so thankful to God that I am able to go for an outing today with 2 church friends. We went to Changi Airport to see some flowers exhibition. We had a good time of fellowship.

♥ Thank God for the joy of enjoying His creations. God's creations always remind me of His majesty and power. He Who creates us will also take care of us.

♥ Thank God for giving me the joy of photography and to be able to capture some of the beauties of God's creations. These are the flowers I took at the exhibition today.

♥ Thank God for His love for us and His instructions to us on how we are to reflect His love in 1 Corinthians 13.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (KJV)

4 Charity suffereth long,
and is kind;
charity envieth not;
charity vaunteth not itself,
is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly,
seeketh not her own,
is not easily provoked,
thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity,
but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things,
believeth all things,
hopeth all things,
endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)

4 Love is patient,
love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
5 It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.

May God continue to bless you with His love in many wonderful ways every day :)
Thank you for stopping by. Take care and may God continue to bless you through this week!