Blanket Full of Love ~ Starrrytime Keepsakes Review and Giveaway

As many know, my hub's job takes him away for months on end. These deployments were just part of our life until we found out we were expecting our first child. All of the sudden a choice we had made for our lives, was never going to be his choice. It was something he would grow up having to deal with, and learn to understand.

My hubs loves his job, but every time he goes away a little part of my heart would break. And through the months the phone calls and emails would help to heal that break until he returned safely in my arms again. With our Squish, it wouldn't be that simple. How does a little child learn to understand that when a parent leaves (for the day, night, week, or months) it isn't because they don't want to be with them. And it isn't because they don't love them, although many children can worry about just those two things.

This is our second deployment with Squishy here. The first time the hubs left when Squish was 5 months, and returned when he was 9 months. This time he left shortly after his 1st birthday. We video taped Daddy reading books, we look at pictures a lot, we let Squish push the buttons (usually hanging up on Daddy) when he calls. We try very hard to do many things to make sure Squishy understands that just because Daddy isn't here, it doesn't make him love him any less.

When I came across Starrytime Keepsakes and Blanket Full of Love by Kim Freeman, I knew I had to have this story. This book is personalized for your child, and tells the story of a blanket that symbolizes a parent's love. This blanket, like the parent's love, goes everywhere with the child. It helps them to understand that no matter where they are, or how old they are, that love will always be there. Kim wrote this book for her daughter, and then designed a book to be personalized so that every child could read about how they would always be loved.

I personalized the book to make it just for Squish. You can even include a picture and a dedication in the front for your child. Squishy's name is throughout the whole book, and I was able to create a child to look close to what mine looks like.

"I love the sun for days, the moon for night, and you forever." - anonymous
Your sweetness reminds us every day what is truly important in life. I hope this book always reminds you of our love.
Love and Squishes,
Mama and Daddy

"And if your blanket shrinks or fades, or rips or falls apart, Kellan, you know that does not change the love that is in my heart."

This story is absolutely beautiful, and the illustrations by Val Lawton are just perfect! It is a book I know we will treasure for a long time. It is my hope that this will help my baby to understand that Daddy and I both love him no matter where we are, or how old he is. I look forward to seeing my Hubs read it to Squish when he comes home.

"So if you ever need me near or feel a little blue, just wrap your blanket 'round you tight and hear my words to you: Kellan dear, whatever comes wherever you should go, my love is always there for you, I'll always love you so."

Whether you are a family like mine who has a parent who is gone for long periods of time or not, this is the perfect story for all families. You can even personalize the back cover to include your child's name.

"A custom storybook made with love for Our Squishapillar."

On the Squishy rating scale, this starrytime book receives an
Amazingly Squishable.
(this is not a normal Squishy rating, but this is just that special of a book.)

(Disclaimer: While I did receive a copy of Blanket Full of Love to review, no monetary compensation was given for this review. This is 100% my honest opinion, and may differ from yours.)

The Giveaway:
Kim, the author of Blanket Full of Love has very generously offered to give a personalized book to one lucky reader. (You can use it for your own child, or as a present for someone who may really need and enjoy this story.)

How to win:
Entering is easy – all you have to do is the mandatory entry. Extra entries are available but not mandatory. Please make sure to leave your email in your comment, or I will not be able to contact you about your win, and will have to choose another winner.
I will be checking each entry to the best of my ability, so honesty is appreciated!

Mandatory Entry:
Head over to Starrytime Keepsakes and tell me who you would personalize this book for if you win. You must also be a follower of Family and Life in Las Vegas
Please leave one (1) comment saying you have done both of these things.
(This is the only mandatory entry. The other entries below are EXTRA.)

Extra Entries:
(Please enter a comment for EACH entry. So, if it says that an entry is worth 3 entries, please leave 3 separate comments.)

1. Follow me and Starrytime Keepsakes on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall telling them I sent you! (2 entries)
2.Sign up for Starrytime's newsletter (3 entries)
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following, leaving the link in a comment. (2 entries) (You can tweet once per day for extra entries!)
“#win a blanket be full of love personalized #giveaway 4 a special child in UR life from @FamilyNLifeLV ends 10/11 http://tinyurl.com/2f65a4k”
4. Vote for me on Top Mom Blog and Picket Fence (1 entry for each vote)(this can be done daily)
5. Grab my blog button and place it on your blog. Spread the word! Leave a comment with the link. (2 entries)
6. Subscribe to this blog via email (upper right hand corner) (3 entries)
7. Post this giveaway on a giveaway linky and leave a direct link to it! (5 entries)
8. Share this on your facebook page, and tell me you did. (2 entries)

This Giveaway ends 9/24 at 9pm PST. Random.Org will draw one lucky winner. That winner will be notified via email, and has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.