Have you made your list and have you checked it twice?  I know I’ve been working on my lists of things to buy and things to get done for the Christmas season.

But you know we need to do?  In the busyness of this holiday season?  We need to slow down and think about those who are in need.  I am assuming that if you are reading my blog that you are blessed enough to have an internet connection.  Which in my mind, is more than we need. 

I was looking at a website today that is trying to raise support to provide for Christmas For Payatas.  While I was on the website I was watching the video and listening to the children talking.  And I started thinking about how each and every child is someone’s baby.  I can’t even imagine how my heart would break if my child had to suffer like these children are.

So, is there something that can be done to help?  If we each did just a little to try to bring these children even a small amount of joy I know we could make a difference.  Right now Christmas For Payatas is raising money to try to give these children a Christmas.  There are many prominent supporters of this great cause but they need our help too. 

As you think about all of the gifts you are planning to buy for your family and friends, remember to think about those in need who don’t even have enough food to eat on a daily basis.  And try to think about what you can do to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Here is a little more information if you are interested:

Press Release:
The landfill in Payatas, The Philippines, is notoriously known the world over as Smokey Mountain. For over 35 years, the smoking dump site has grown to become a stark and heart-tugging reminder of the desperate onditions of humanity.

On a daily basis, children pick through newly arrived garbage to collect material to sell. The earnings made by one child are not enough to even buy food for the day. Hence, entire families are forced to climb the mountain each day, hoping to earn enough to feed everyone. Children as young as four years old are forced to work in this daily struggle for survival.

In response to the plight of these children, Totedaddy.com is working with Lighthouse Center For Children Foundation to bring a little cheer to the children this Christmas.

Totedaddy.com has kicked off with a cash sponsorship of USD 10,000 to enable the children to celebrate Christmas. FusionExcel International has also pitched in a USD 5,000 in cash sponsorship. The money raised
will help fund the projects already in place, and help fund additional projects aimed at providing better housing, and a means of livelihood for the Payatas community.

It is hoped that by creating better awareness to the plight of these children, more support can be garnered towards their betterment. Together we can bury poverty!

This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted.  Congrats Marcia!

Raise your hand if you love cake.

Well, good- then you’ve come to the right place.

When Nora from Naturally Nora contacted me a little while ago and wanted to know if she could send me some of her cake mix to try- I did not hesitate for even a second before replying YES PLEASE!

So, I received several yummy boxes of cake and frosting mix to try out.  Since I love chocolate we had to try out the chocolate cake first.  My little helper (Hailey) got up on her chair and helped me mix the cake and taste the frosting.

Can you just imagine the yumminess?  Actually I don’t think you can- it was so exceptionally good that it’s not possible for you to imagine how fabulous it really was.

And as you can see Hailey loved her cake too.  She kept saying, “I need more cake Mommy!”

Do you know what the best part is about the Naturally Nora cake mixes?  There are no hydrogenated oils or artificial ingredients of any kind.  Don’t you just hate all of that extra stuff that is in our food that we don’t need?  Me too- that’s why I was excited about how natural these mixes are.  Plus, they don’t contain any dairy or soy and are kosher too.

So how would you like to have your very own Naturally Nora cake and frosting mixes?  Nora has graciously offered one lucky winner a trial box of the mixes which will include 5 cake and 5 frosting mixes (a $35 value!).  Imagine how much easier it will make some of your baking needs for Christmas!

Here’s what you need to do for a chance to win:

• Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite kind of cake is.

Want some extra chances to win? Leave an ADDITIONAL COMMENT FOR EACH extra entry.

• Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then leave me a comment with the direct URL.
• Subscribe to my RSS feed and then leave me a comment letting me know you’re a subscriber.
• Stumble this post and leave me a comment letting me know and tell me what your name on Stumble is.

And there is MORE!

Naturally Nora has also offered to donate 2 boxes of cake mix and 2 boxes of frosting mix (enough to make 48 cupcakes) to the first 10 PTAs/schools that want to prepare and sell the cake to raise money for their school.  In order to qualify for this part of the giveaway:

• Leave me a comment letting me know you are part of a PTA/school and tell me about the fundraising event that will be on your site.  If you are one of the first 10 to do this I will email you with further directions.

This giveaway is open to US shipping addresses and will end on November 30, 2008. The winner will be chosen on December 1, 2008 via random.org and notified by email. Please read all of my giveaway rules here.

SassyFrazzis giving away a pair of U*neak Sneakers and a pair of socks- ends 11/24

Moms of 2 Dancers is giving away a $50 Gift Card to Amazon.  In order for a chance to win all you have to do is vote for her in a contest where she is trying to win a Wii- ends 11/30

Kaiser Alex is giving away a Melissa and Doug Role Play and Dress Up set of your choice.  I can’t decide if I would pick the Firefighter set or the Chef set but I can only imagine how much fun Hailey would have playing dress up with either of those- ends 11/23.

SAHM Reviewsis giving away a Poingo Reading System-2-book Set from Discover Poingo- ends on 11/25

The Laughs Will Go On is giving away a Munchie Mug- ends 11/26

Thanksgiving is only one week away.  I can not believe how fast this year has gone.  Seriously, it seems like Christmas was just a couple of months ago.

Anyhoo, with Thanksgiving almost here that means the stores are really starting to compete for our business.  I think with the tough economy this year that the stores are going to be competing extra hard to get us to do our shopping with them.

Last year I did a lot my shopping online.  Even though I love to go to the stores to do my shopping it’s just easier to do my shopping online with a toddler.  So, I’ve been checking to various online shopping deals- trying to make sure I get the best deals I can find.

Here are some great deals at Kmart that were recently discussed on the ABC Early show:  An Attention Women’s Kimono Wrap Sweater- and you can save an extra 10% off if you purchase it online.  There was also mention of the Abbey Hill bedding Medallion Dream bedding collection and you can save an extra 30% when you purchase it online.  The online discount is only available until November 26th- so hurry up and make your purchases!

(Oh- and just so you know- with the amazing specials right now- you won’t see the actual savings price on the product page.  Once you add your items to your shopping cart you’ll be able to see the sale prices.)

And guess what else?  Through the month of December you’ll be able to save an extra 10% online in these categories:

• Womens plus sleepwear 
• Womens attention brand 
• Girls tops 
• ALL juniors 
• Boys tops 
• Mens shirts and bottoms 
• Big mens shirts and bottoms 
• Infant and toddler bedding

Amazing deals, right?

One more thing before you head off to Kmart to start your shopping- be on the lookout for some hidden ornaments at kmart.com as they will save you even more money with a special coupon code.