Disclosure:  I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for MedImmune. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. When I was pregnant with my twin sons I remember being bombarded with so much information.  It was my first successful pregnancy and with each passing week, I was one day closer to my goal of a full term birth.  My family knows all too well the complications of premature births and with so much stacked against me I prayed my pregnancy would beat the odds.  I was fortunate and birthed healthy twin boys full term.  I know each day several babies enter the world prematurely.  Preemies face a lot of challenges including increased risk for breathing and respiratory related conditions like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).  RSV is a cold-like virus which affects most children by the age of 2 but preemies are twice as likely to develop the...

Disclosure: I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Influence-Central for Virgin Mobile. I received a sample device to facilitate my review and a thank you item for participating. We are a cell phone only household. We ditched the house phone about four years ago and haven't looked back.  Now that our kids are older, each of them has a cell phone and  as a mom who never thought my kids needed a cell phone,  middle school and high school are teaching me  some valuable lessons about kids and cell phones. Three boys, a little old lady, a husband, moi and all these phones.   #VirginMobileMom #MC According to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center 1 ,  78% of th e teens surveyed have a cell phone and almost 1/2 of those kids have a smart phone.  Now before you g ift your child with the latest and greatest cell phone there are few things to consider .  Take for insta nce, do they really need a pho...

Express your concerns, frustrations, and heartaches to God with 365 Pocket Prayers for Mothers "Daily life brings worries—challenges with your children, tasks undone, health problems, financial difficulties, and other things that keep you from enjoying your children and your life. Sometimes it’s difficult to know what to pray for or even how to talk with God about these life issues. 

Last week the most amazing thing happened.  I met someone with my name.  I know it may not sound like anything all that special to you BUT when your name is Tomika, spelled T-o-m-i-k-a, it's pretty special.  Yep, that's my name.  Tomika.   Feeling a little Rumplestiltskin-ish huh?  Been wondering what "Tomi" was short for all these years.   With a name like "Tomika" you won't find many personalized items but times have changed.  Thank goodness for the internet now I can practically have anything personalized with MY name on it including *drum roll* including recipe labels. Now that the weather is cooler and the holiday baking season is near, I am looking forward to sharing homemade goodies with my beloved family and friends.  I like to prepare foods for some of the elderly members of my church from time to time and this year I am sharing some fab soups. There's nothing like bowl of hot soup to warm you up on a chilly Fall day a...

A few years ago, a friend of mine introduced me to the ministry of Joyce Meyer.  In addition to standing room only venues throughout the world, Meyer's ministry includes an arsenal of TV shows, radio broadcasts, internet presence, daily devotionals, CDs, books and more.  In fact Joyce's show Enjoying Everyday Life  airs every single day and in some areas the show airs 2-3 times a day.   Meyer is a powerhouse of practical wisdom and scriptural reference.  I guess that combination of practicality and scripture references is one of the reasons I enjoy her ministry and reading her books.  Check out my review of her latest book Living Courageously . Her latest book, Living Courageously , was a welcome read.  I often say "Fear is not of God", yet there are times when my fear of taking a chance overwhelms me and complicates my decision-making.  It's a feeling echoed by some of my friends who stay in a comfortable position of compl...

Remember the first time your little one gave you a flower?  When Los Tres Amigos were little they would burst out the church doors on Sunday mornings, snatch up dandelions from the ground and run up to me saying "Mommy, I got this flower for you."  Oh, I miss those days. Nowadays I only get flowers for special occasions like my birthday or anniversary and  honestly I almost forgot how much joy there was in receiving flowers just because.  

The eagerly anticipated CHRISTOPHER’S DIARY: SECRETS OF FOXWORTH (Pocket Books; October 28, 2014; $7.99) by V.C. Andrews® will be the perfect respite for those counting the days until Lifetime’s 2015 movie releases. An ideal addition to “Dollanganger family reading”, CHRISTOPHER’S DIARY broadens the perspective of story in Flowers in the Attic…and reveals the answer to one of the major mysteries surrounding that seminal work.

Disclosure: I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central for CRYSTAL LIGHT. I received a gift card to purchase CRYSTAL LIGHT products to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. Staying hydrated is important!  I confess I am guilty of not drinking enough water.  I know I need to drink more water and I am slowly working my way up to drinking more, but for right now CRYSTAL LIGHT is one of my fave ways to stay hydrated.  

I cringe at the thought of three kids entering college around the same time.  I am hopeful academic, band and sports scholarships will be in our kids' future and that our college savings to help offset some of the costs, but I know a little research and planning beforehand will help reduce some of their college expenses.   One of the biggest college expenses, besides tuition, is the cost of books.  I remember paying $300 for an anatomy book.  The university had just changed to a new book so buying a used one was not an option.  My first tip is buy used.

Dream Team Pets is much more than a bedtime toy-it's an innovative kid's sleep aid that helps end the bedtime battles of trying to keep your child in bed. Developed with the help of a pediatrician, Dream Team Pets bedtime routine empowers kids as they reward their Pet with stickers and a certificate for a good night's sleep.  If the child wakes up from a nightmare, there are no hard feelings because the responsibility is on their Pet, but when they successfully sleep in their own bed, the kids feel a sense of accomplishment as they reward their Dream Team Pet. What makes this unique is that the kids think they are training their Pet, but really they are sleep training themselves!  My Readers receive 30% Off Dream Team Pets with Promo Code: USFGUIDE http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_toys-and-games?ie=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=OIC+Toys%2C+LLC&node=165793011 Please follow Dream Team Pets  http://www.facebook.com/dreamteampets https://plus.google.com/+...

AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL HD ON OCTOBER 14, 2014 AND ON DVD AND BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK WITH DVD, DIGITAL HD and ULTRAVIOLET™ ON OCTOBER 28, 2014, FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT.

I wear braces.  Metal.  Braces.  First go round, I got them just before I found out I was pregnant with the twins.  I had a slight overbite as a result of decades of biting my nails. Or at least that's the story I tell myself.  Okay, I admit it, it was vanity, pure vanity. After 22 months of metal braces, I was so excited to try Smile Brilliant because my braces were coming off and besides flossing my teeth sans floss threader, I couldn't wait to have my teeth whitened.  Solely because I wore braces for so long.  Or at least that's the story I tell myself.  Okay, I admit it, it was vanity, pure vanity.  I was all gung ho about getting my braces off but my orthodontist said "Nope, not so fast" and it'll be 2 more months. L No teeth whitening for me. Fortunately, Hubby stepped up to the plate and agreed to sample Smile Brilliant.  He does a lot of public speaking on his job and he has his teeth whitened at his d...

I have been jamming to Mary Lambert's "Heart on My Sleeve" album and thought it's time I share my thoughts on my fave tracks.  It's been about a week since I wrote about my excitement about her album being released http://threeboysandanoldlady.blogspot.com/2014/10/mary-lambert-releases-new-album.html .

Two months into the school year and my oldest son comes home with the first Science project of the school year.  I try, I really try not to get overly involved in my kids' projects but there's nothing wrong with helping your kids with their homework.

I am helping a friend plan a baby shower for another friend and decided to create a special beverage just for the mommy to be. Of course it had to be healthy and it's me so it had to be fun.  The fun part was a little difficult because we have so many non-alcoholic drink recipes in our arsenal.  The healthy part was easy thanks to  PREMAMA® Complete, a powdered multivitamin that can mixed with water or your favorite beverage.   

During the Summer Los Tres Amigos read The Sixteen , the latest addition to author Ali B's Soul Jumper book series.   Click here to check out our review of this fab middle school read and keep reading to view my interview with author Ali B.

Train ’Em Up is an interactive, fun-filled, and affordable series that uses a train locomotive theme for teaching kids core Christian beliefs and principles. 

Before Mary Lambert achieved “quasi-stardom” (as she puts it in her typical self-deprecating way) for writing and singing the hook on Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ marriage equality anthem “Same Love,” the Seattle native was an aspiring singer-songwriter who also worked as a brunch waitress and bartender.

Book Description As women, we are constantly on a search for self-worth. In today’s world, can be easy to measure our significance by what we do for others rather than out of a deep-rooted sense of identity.

Just RISE UP!  A Call to Make Jesus Famous Book Description       It is common to look at our faith as something that just “is”. It’s not strong, nor is it weak; it’s simply a part of us. But faith is something we desire to strengthen. It is a vital relationship with our Lord that should be nurtured, celebrated, and shouted from the rooftops as the most incredible gift we will ever receive.

Barren Among the Fruitful:  Navigating Infertility with Hope, Wisdom, and Patience The problem of infertility has reached epidemic levels in our society. It is projected that 40% of women currently 25 and younger will have difficulty conceiving a child or reaching a live birth.  

Ever been so thrilled about something that you just had to tell someone?  I mean it was something so wonderful you just wanted to share it with the world?  How do you share your #ProudMommyMoment?

Create a professional photo book with a single click using Collage.com's One-Click Photo Book. Select photos of any size from Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, or your computer and they will instantly suggest a clean, professional layout that you can further customize. Deal: Use this link for 51% off a 20-page 11.5"x8" Hardcover Photo Book From Collage.com: http://bit.ly/collagepbdeal Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I will receive a 20-page hardcover photo book and a 20-page softcover photo book in exchange for this review. No monetary compensation was received.  Many thanks to the USFG Blogger Network for this opportunity. Opinions are my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. The opinions expressed above are mine. Click here for the Disclosure Policy of Three Boys and an Old Lady blog. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own. I received a product in exchange for this review and post. I am disclosing this in accordance wit...

Prepare for an icy adventure this holiday season! The PAW Patrol pups are back for 7 wintery missions that include a double-length adventure to save Christmas in this new DVD set. From a ski-lift rescue to tracking down a snow monster, no job is too big and no pup is too small. Plus, see how Rubble first joined the team by helping out in a snowy situation! Full of festive fun that fans won’t want to miss out on, this DVD set makes the perfect holiday gift for fans. Produced by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Media Distribution in the US. P AW Patrol: Winter Rescues will be available on DVD on October 7, 2014. PAW Patrol: Winter Rescues Fast Facts: Street Date: October 7, 2014 Catalogue: 59164083000 Audio & Subtitles: English, Spanish/French track subtitles DVD SRP: $14.99 DVD Running Time: Approximately 92 minutes Buy It :  PAW Patrol: Winter Rescues   is available wherever DVDs are sold including major retailers like Walmar...

Buried deep in my closet is a folder I've kept for over a decade.  The folder contains every single thing related to my pregnancy of my twin sons.  You'd think this folder would be tattered and torn given it's over 10 years old BUT it's actually in pretty good condition... or at least that's the story I tell myself year after year.  

The first four books in the InScribed Studies collection were amazing! Now continue the InScribed Studies journey with these fantastic, new books! Click on each book cover to visit post and learn more about these additions to the InScribed Studies collection. The problem of infertility has reached epidemic levels in our society. It is projected that 40 percent of women currently 25 and younger will have difficulty conceiving a child or reaching a live birth. It is common to look at our faith as something that just “is." It’s not strong, nor is it weak; it’s simply a part of us. Based on the book of Romans, Inseparable aims to give an overview of our identity in Christ from the grand narrative of Scripture as a whole. Disclosure: Many thanks to BookLook and Harper Collins for the opportunity to review this book. I received this book in exchange for this review. The thoughts expressed above are mine. Visit http://threeboysandanoldlady.blogspot.com/2010/...

This is a sponsored post The change of seasons often signals the beginning of cold, cough and flu season.  With so many different over the counter medicines to choose from, I usually try to ward off coughs and colds with some tried and true home remedies.  Our medicine cabinet is stocked with vinegar, baking soda, witch hazel, hydrogen peroxide, oils and extracts.  It's kinda funny the stuff my grandma and great-grandma used back in the day is the same stuff my mom and I use today.   What tried and true home remedies do you use?

This is a sponsored post This past month has been super busy.  My family and I traveled to Virginia to watch my nephew graduate from military training school and stayed over a few days to indulge in some much needed R and R.  When we returned late Saturday, the only thing on my mind was preparing for church Sunday and gearing up for a busy week at the office.  I didn't feel much like starting the laundry and putting away my luggage. Fast forward to 2 days later.  I stepped out of the bed, glanced across the bedroom to see my luggage standing there, right beside a hamper full of vacation clothes.  UGH!!!  It was time.  I had to do the laundry.  I'd put it off long enough and it was time to do the laundry and clean my house.  

Saw this recipe featured on Coasta Genise and had to share.  Fall is in full swing and now is the perfect time for soups and stews. This recipe reprinted with permission from Coasta Genise. http://www.coastag.com/2014/09/chicken-brunswick-stew.html

The Nancy Reagan 24K Gold Collagen Face and Neck Mask brings the luxury of a spa facial to your home. It is specially formulated to bring back the luster and dewy glow of your skin. The 24K collagen masks can be easily used at home and the results are visible on the face within just 10-20 minutes of application. The mask hydrates and softens the skin thoroughly, while the essential vitamins and gold help reduce the fine lines and wrinkles. Mi Bella Reina, a health & beauty shopping website, means "my beautiful queen" in Spanish. The website and blog will help you find your beautiful queen. From skin care to makeup to aromatherapy and health, Bella Reina shows you simple, easy beauty and health tips for the busy woman who needs real results. The power of believing you are beautiful starts here. Promotion:  For a limited time, Three Boys and an Old Lady blog readers can Save 25% on 24K Gold Collagen Face and Neck Mask by using code USFG25C or any order of $50 or mo...