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Enter To Win 4 Amazing Books Including “Around the Year with the VonTrapp Family”!

Modified on August 6, 2019 at 8:33 AM

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On the 1st day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

4 Amazing Books From Sophia Institute Press

That Are Perfect For The Advent Season!

We teamed up with our favorite book publishing company, Sophia Institute Press, to giveaway 4 of their newest titles, worth over $84!

My most favorite book that we’re giving away is Around The Year With The VonTrapp Family!

Maria von Trapp is probably most famous for inspiring the Broadway Musical, The Sound of Music. However, she was also an exemplary Catholic mother, so much so that she won the Catholic Mother of the Year award in 1956. On top of her handfuls of decorations and awards for her service to God and her country, Maria von Trapp is remembered for her ability to create and share ideas of meaningful celebrations with her family (and more broadly, her Catholic family). 

Originally published in 1955, Maria offers timeless advice, admissions, and encouragement to the modern, Catholic mother. Titus 2:3-5, says, “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.”  The attitude of many millennial women is that, “they know how to raise children better” than the last 1000 years. I saw a post on Facebook, and it highlights my point. 

It isn’t that grandma is too old to do all of the shelling. Grandma is there to teach and pass on wisdom. For generations, women have been getting caught up with the “new” and the “popular” so much so that they have a tendency to disregard the “old” and “outdated.” I have not felt confronted or ashamed in my reading of the book; I feel rejuvenated and inspired. Maria makes “returning to tradition” a way to help women create lasting impressions with their families. 

Some of the ways in which modern families differ from the traditions laid out in Maria’s book is during advent and Christmastide. I was the most inspired in this section (and rightfully so, because the season is almost upon us.) Everything she said was intended to teach the children a lesson. Advent, in spite of what our modern lifestyle has said, is intended to be a “light fast” as Maria put it. Modern advent calendars full of chocolates and toys don’t help children to hold their breath in expectation of the remembrance of Jesus’ first coming. She suggests the baking of Kletzenbrot (a type of fruit cake) on St. Thomas Day (the 21st of December) so your house is filled with anticipation of sweets and good things to come. I won’t ruin all the fun! You will have to read her book to get her wide array of knowledge. 

The book features suggestions for every time of year, and I truly believe its a must-have “recipe” book for family success. Make tradition, make memories, and most importantly, help facilitate a lasting relationship between your children and Christ, this year. 

We are giving away Around The Year with the VonTrapp Family plus THREE MORE BOOKS to encourage your family and their Faith! 

Before I Was Me is an instant Catholic/Christian must-have for children. The main purpose of the book is to help children (and adults) understand where their soul was prior to conception. Other than that, I love how it exposes young children to a handful of potential future vocations. It is also SO beautifully illustrated. I also love that God suggests that everyone can be a parent and that children are from love. 

Vincent is another beautiful book we are giving away. This book contains no words, which means even your youngest kiddos can enjoy “explaining” the story. The moral of the story is finding love, and what happens to love when you share it. The illustrations will melt your heart!

Catholic Traditions and Treasures is the last book (but not the least!) that we are giving away. This is an illustrated encyclopedia that every Catholic family should own. If you are not full of every answer a child can throw at you, then you need to own this book.

This amazing book has answers to 100s of questions and has the who, what, when, where, and whys of the Catholic church. I would also recommend this book to anyone who is new to the faith. It beautifully explains the richness and fullness of the Catholic faith.

Now that you are as excited about these 4 books as I am, it’s time to enter for a chance to win them!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: The Fashionable Housewife was compensated either by free product or payment for hosting this giveaway. All opinions and experiences are my own. Open to the US, must be 18+ to enter. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) is responsible for prize fulfillment and product shipment to winner(s) of the giveaway. This event is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by any social media network. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Please contact us if you have any questions.

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Posted By The Fashionable Housewife
on December 1, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Filed Under: Giveaways
Tagged With: 12 Days of Christmas, 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza, 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza 2018, 12 days of christmas giveaways, 12 days of giveaways, Giveaways, sophia institute

About The Fashionable Housewife

Sarah-Jean Ballard is the Editor in Chief of The Fashionable Housewife blog and Founder of Fashionable Media. Married to a sexy Molecular Biologist, housewife, mom to 5, homeschooler, Certified Personal Nutritionist and entrepreneur who's mission is to help moms just like you look and feel GREAT! Other interests include dancing, yoga, positive intactivism, natural birth and breastfeeding support, babywearing, paleo & gluten-free cooking, and promoting an overall healthy lifestyle to all.

Disclaimer

The Fashionable Housewife is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for blogs and websites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission on purchases made through our links. There is no extra cost to you! For more info, please see our Disclosure & Privacy Policy.

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Hello, there!

Sarah-Jean Ballard

Hi! I’m Sarah-Jean. I’m a Christian, the wife of a handsome Molecular Biologist, and the homeschooling mother of 5 beautiful kids!

I enjoy homesteading, reading, writing, cooking, baking, crafting, home decorating, Xtend Barre, and of course, fashion!

This blog is a place for me to share how we live and what I love most. I’m on a mission to help busy moms like you, be fashionable too! Read More…

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𝕊𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕙 | Fashionable Homemaker & Large Family Life
You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
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This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
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No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
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The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
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Want to learn more about why I’m obsessed with these pots and pans? Visit my blog and search CARAWAY! Or scroll through my feed! 🥳

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My heart is completely shattered from having an empty womb and an empty nursery. An empty bassinet in the corner and unused tiny newborn outfits, all washed, folded, and ready… for nothing. 

It makes me physically sick to my stomach when I think about it all and I can't even fathom how I got here. How did I get here? 

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In an instant, my baby was gone and there was nothing I could do to change that. 

It doesn't matter how much time passes or what else happens in life, I will always miss him. My heart with always long for my baby. 

Those who haven't experienced loss tell you that "Don’t worry! Things will get better, just focus on the positive!" but people who actually know this grief and what it actually feels like to lose a baby, won’t tell you that. They know this hard road. They understand that unfortunately you don't just “get over it.” 

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It is unforgiving.
It is relentless.
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And it completely shatters you when you don’t expect it. 

You don’t get over it. You don’t forget. You simply learn to live with it. And I’m learning to live with it every day. 

It’s been 137 days I’ve had to live without my baby. 

Lord Jesus, please… hold me extra tight tonight. 

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You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
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