Every Day with God Veggie Tales Devotional Review

About the Book:

​Every Day with God is the latest 365-day devotional (one for boys and another for girls) from VeggieTales. The updated content and art offer the perfect opportunity for parent and child to share time together each day. Each entry includes a Bible verse, short devotion, Thought of the Day, and prayer. The content will help children learn more about God and develop a daily practice to keep Him close in their lives. The book is perfect for bedtime reading, family devotion time, or as a fresh way to start each day!

We really liked this book. I have a four year old boy and a three year old boy who adore everything VeggieTales so I was very excited to get the opportunity to review this book. We were not disappointed. I loved that we could use favorite characters along with bible verses to help them begin to learn the Bible and how to make studying it part of their daily lives. One a day wasn't even enough for them!! They wanted to keep reading, so we read several every time. We recommend this book for 4-7 year old kids. They'll love it!!

You can get your own copy of the Every Day with God devotional for boys here and the girls one here

#EveryDayWithGod

#FlyBy

DIY BABY WIPES

DIY Baby Wipes

I wanted to share my DIY baby wipes recipe. Originally found in the CHEMICAL FREE HOME 1 book but I adjusted it a little.

About 1 tbsp KidScents bath gel
4 drops gentle baby oil
4 drops lavender essential oil
1 1/2 cups water
1 roll of Brawny paper towels cut in half
Air tight container with lid large enough to fit half a paper towel roll.

Mix bath gel and essential oil in a mixing bowl and then add water. Cut one Brawny paper towel roll in half, setting one half aside. Place one half inside your airtight container and remove cardboard insert. Pour water mixture evenly over roll and cover with the lid. Set aside until water is absorbed throughout roll.

Note: I've gone back and unrolled the paper towels afterwards to make wipes look more folded like commercially sold wipes and I've left them in the roll shape and it's been fine either way.

Testimony: we've been using these wipes for several months now and have completely eliminated store bought wipes. They work great and soothe the skin. My boys(I have two in diapers) haven't had any of the rashes they would normally get from irritation due to staying in a diaper too long or the soap on the wipes. We love using these wipes!!

Strong and Kind Book Review

What Legacy Will You Pass Down To The Next Generation?

“After being a parent for twenty years, I have come to believe that the most important thing for parents to decide—more important than bottle or breastfeeding, more important than co-sleeping or sleep training, and even more important than whether to put your child in day care or become a stay-at-home parent—is what values are important to your family and how you will go about instilling those values in your children.”

In Strong and Kind Korie Robertson—with the help of her mom, Chrys Howard, and with insights and stories from her husband, Willie—introduces nine character traits that children need in order to lead a successful life. And though there are no perfect parents or perfect children, Korie shares principles—based on biblical wisdom and time-tested practices—that will help you parent your own one-of-a-kind child.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I began reading this book. What a wonderfully written and lovely book to read. Korie takes us through the different character qualities or traits that your child needs to succeed. She suggests starting with the two that are most important to you. Strong and Kind are the two she feels are most important for her children.

She had lots of insightful advice for parenting and shared stories of her own childhood and parenting experiences to go along with the qualities. She takes the reader through each of the qualities and how they apply to us then she details how you can start implementing them in our own lives and teaching them to our children. Along the way, Willie tells his point of view of the character qualities as well as stories from his children and parenting experiences.

In conclusion, it was a wonderful read and I really enjoyed reading it. I highly recommend reading this for any parent, especially if you are a Duck Dynasty fan but not only if you are a fan. Korie is quite personable and real towards her own experiences and journey as a parent. If you're a parent or soon to be, go get this book!

I was given a free copy of Strong and Kind in exchange for my honest review.

Get to know Paul Book Review

Get to Know Apostle Paul by Nancy I. Sanders is a full color biography of Apostle Paul just for kids. It details Paul's conversion and ministry to the Christian faith. This book is easy to read and very informative of events told in the Bible as well as a few from other historians. It has facts and vocabulary words to help explain the story further.

I enjoyed reading this book. There are many colorful photos to help show the area and even some of the ruins of the places that Paul walked. Maps help show Paul's journeys and how the cities were laid out in Paul's day. While it does reference a few scriptures, it doesn't reference them as much as I'd like.

I was given this book at no cost in exchange for my honest review by Booksneeze.

Challenge on the Hill of Fire Book Review

Challenge on the Hill of Fire is the 10th book in the Imagination Station Series. Patrick and Beth go to Whit's End to get a green milkshake for St. Patrick's Day. Whit asks if Patrick is named after St. Patrick and thus begins there latest adventure in the world of St. Patrick. The Druids' religion dominates in Ireland during this time and the Bishop is trying to bring word of The One True God and free the people of Ireland from the Druids tyrannical reign.

This is so far my favorite Imagination Station book. I felt like I really got a lot of the feel of the time period and how the people lived. Patrick and Beth are tested in their faith as well and are tasked with really standing up for what they believe in. There is several instances of dying for what they believe in as a real possibility. A good read.

Showdown with the Shepherd Book Review

Showdown with the Shepherd is the 5th book in the Imagination Station Series. Patrick and Beth have to find Hugh after he took Mr. Whitaker's ring and vanished. They follow him to The Holy Land and Meet King David as a boy and witness his victory over Goliath.

Another fun story with lots of history woven into it. Very suspenseful and full of adventure, as well. A good read.

Revenge of the Red Knight Book Review

Revenge of the Red Knight is the 4th book in the Imagination Station Series. Patrick and Beth have been helping retrieve "lost" treasure from different time periods. They find themselves in a dark cave with the Imagination Station nowhere to be found. Turns out they are in Medieval England and may soon discover why they've been searching for the treasures.

This was a neat look at the time period. They learned about jousting and how revolts occurred and governments were overthrown. My kids enjoyed reading this book as well. I enjoy how the smallest details also help teach about the time period, namely the clothing that they had to wear. Another fun, kids book. I recommend reading it.

Whatever You Grow Up To Be Book Review

This was a wonderful children's book that made me cry. She begins with her newborn son talking of his baby feet leaving footprints on his Mommy's heart. She moves up through different ages and parts of his childhood talking about playing and growing. She talks of him in college and ten getting married. The book ends with her grandson and the journey beginning again. It made me cry and my children loved the story too.

Each page had an accompanying scripture verse quoted on the bottom that relates to what is being talked about or said on that page. The illustrations are beautiful drawn and very colorful. My children enjoyed them especially all the different depictions of what he could grow up to be. I highly recommend this book. I really enjoyed it.


This book was provided to me at no cost from Booksneeze.

You can purchase this book at http://www.amazon.com/Whatever-You-Grow-Up-Be/dp/0310716462/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

More random musings, selfishness, J.O.Y. and more

I was thinking and praying the other day about my relationships with my children, when a thought occurred to me. Our relationships with our children really teach us how to interact with people and truly care for others. I always think of that expression, Jesus First, Others Second, Yourself Last. It is so hard to do that. I want what I want and I want it now!

I think this is one of our current social issues. Most people I've encountered are very concerned about themselves and how things affect them, most of the time myself included. We don't usually mean it though. I think a great majority of people don't walk around all day thinking everything is about them. For me, I'm in my head a lot, always thinking, always contemplating and trying to figure things out. In some ways, its a good thing because I learn why I do things and what makes me do them. In other ways, I over analyze just about everything.

I have five children and I see selfishness every day in their interactions with each other and with my husband and I. They don't even know that they are selfish. We are born with a selfish nature. In some ways, it protects us from harm, but in other ways it can cause harm. If we are always more concerned about what we want or how we feel, we can ruin relationships with others, we can miss out on opportunities to help others, to support others and most importantly to witness to others.

Jesus stated in Matthew 22:35b, "You Shall Love Your Neighbor As Yourself." It isn't easy to love others when you don't think about others. Some might even say that it is nigh impossible. Jesus was responding to a question about which commandment is greatest commandment, "You Shall Love the LORD Your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." followed by loving your neighbor as yourself. Hence, J.O.Y, Jesus First, Others Second, Yourself Last.

This is just something I've been pondering the last few days and weeks. It is so easy, at least for me, to get all caught up in my own "troubles".  Does anyone else ever think about this? I'd love your comments.

Pampers Swaddlers Giveaway

It's time for a giveaway!!! Pampers Swaddlers has invited me to host a giveaway for Pampers Swaddlers diapers and an assortment of baby items to help celebrate your baby's firsts!!

I love Pampers Swaddlers and you can read my review post here.

To enter use the Rafflecopter giveaway below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget about the Pampers Twitter Party on December 5th.   http://twtvite.com/SwaddlersFirsts

 Pampers Twitter: http://bit.ly/1brDKYn
 Pampers Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1eWzMVD
 Pampers: http://bit.ly/18psPH0

Pampers #SwaddlersFirsts

I don't have to worry about leaks while decorating the Christmas tree for the first time with my youngest son. Both he and his big brother wear Pampers Swaddlers now that they come in bigger sizes.

Pampers are by far my favorite brand of diaper. I used other diapers until the birth of my third child. Her diapers were always droopy and leaking, not after I switched to Pampers. I have continued to use them with my next two children as well. So I was very excited when I learned that Pampers Swaddlers are now available in sizes 4 & 5.

I like Swaddlers because they have the wetness indicator making it easier to know if your child has used the diaper or not, they are by far the softest diaper I've used for my babies and they come with the wonderful baby powder scent. I highly recommend using these for your children!!

Pampers is doing 30 days of giveaways to celebrate the launch of Pampers Swaddlers in sizes 4 & 5. There are daily giveaways as well as the grand prize of free Swaddlers diapers & wipes for one year!! To enter and learn more about Swaddlers visit their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Pampers/app_1426402564246361

Those of you on Twitter can join in the Pampers #SwaddlersFirsts Twitter Party. IT will take place on December 5th at 9pm EST. RSVP now at http://twtvite.com/SwaddlersFirsts They will be giving away three Celebrating Firsts Gift Packs ($250 value).

Gift Packs include:

• · Baby’s First Friend Doudou Bear Plush Doll
• · Baby’s First Tooth and First Curl Treasure Box
• · Baby’s First Words Book
• · Baby’s First Steps Plush Toy
• · $50 Shutterfly Gift Card to celebrate all “firsts” moments
• · Baby’s First Bath Robe
• · Pampers Swaddlers

Grand Prize: Canon EOS Rebel T3 DSLR camera worth $450!

I will also be hosting my own giveaway to celebrate Firsts. Prizes include:

· Baby’s First Friend Doudou Bear Plush Doll
· Baby’s First Tooth and First Curl Treasure Box
· Baby’s First Words Book
· Baby’s First Steps Plush Toy
· Pampers Swaddlers

That giveaway will start on Wednesday December 4th.

“This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine."

• Pampers Twitter: http://bit.ly/1brDKYn
• Pampers Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1eWzMVD

Unglued Review.

Unglued Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions

By Lysa TerKeurst

From Booksneeze.com "Why is it that those we love the most often receive the brunt of our worst moods? In Unglued, New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst offers words of hope and healing for women struggling to make wise choices in the midst of their raw emotions. She shows how to positively process reactive emotions that come from situations all women face daily.
Raw emotions are those feelings we hide from others but take out on those we love most. We may exhibit patience and kindness when talking with the grocery clerk, a co-worker, even the difficult person at the returns counter; but, at home, sometimes the smallest, most trivial things set women off, sparking an angry word, cruel comment behind someone’s back, or a flood of tears. All women experience these ‘unglued feelings’ at times, often when they least expect it. These emotions are not wrong, in fact they are God-given. However, our emotions should be indicators not dictators. Each experience is an opportunity to either fall back into patterns that make us wallow in guilt or chose more wisely and make progress. TerKeurst equips women with spiritual strategies to help them manage their reactions. It’s one thing to tell a woman to control her feelings but a whole new kind of help to show her step by step how to let this situation work for her rather than against her."

Unglued has been a very convicting read for me. I struggle with losing my temper a lot. She does a great job of really sharing her struggles and how she worked and continued to work to overcome them. She helps with practical tips and advice. I recommend this read for any Mom, especially those who struggle with anger issues.
 


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

LEGO® KIDSFEST Portland 2013 Review

 

We had so much fun!! We visited a huge pile of LEGO® bricks and everyone enjoyed building towers and house and other fun creations higher and higher! We completed a challenge in the challenge area where we had to build something that you'd find in outer space! We were rewarded with a LEGO® batmobile kit. My daughters absolutely LOVED the LEGO® Friends area and we had to tear them away to see the next section. We got to try out the LEGO® Chima Speedor sets and even got to take one home too!

There were lifesize and larger than life creations of our favorite LEGO® and movie and TV characters made entirely out of LEGO® bricks. My children had so much fun building and my husband and I even joined in on the fun. We are all so exhausted and I have many pictures to share another day. But, don't worry! There are still four sessions for you to have a chance at all the fun. There are two sessions on Saturday, as well as Sunday. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.legokidsfest.com/portland. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets soon as these events tend to sell out really quickly.

Saturday October 12, 2013

Session I: 9 am - 1:30 pm

Session II: 3pm - 7:30 pm

 

Sunday October 13, 2013

Session I: 9 am - 1:30 pm

Session II: 3 pm - 7:30 pm

 

Oregon Convention Center - Halls C, D, & E

777 NE Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

Portland, OR 97232

(503) 235-7575

www.oregoncc.org

 

 

Making Your Home a Haven Challenge Week 1

I'm joining another challenge this fall!!  The challenge is from Courtney over at Women Living Well: Making Your Home a Have Challenge. Each week during the month of October, Courtney will give us a practical tip and spiritual tip plus a giveaway related to those challenges. I'm excited for this challenge because I really need the accountability. I've been so stressed and frantic regarding the running of my home that I think this will help.

Are you interested in joining the challenge? Click the picture above to find out more! Please let me know in the comments if you are joining this challenge.

LEGO® KIDSFEST Portland: October 11 - 13

LEGO® KIDSFEST Portland: October 11 - 13 

Three Acres of Hands-On Educational Fun for All Ages

 

LEGO® KidsFest is coming to Portland!

 

     If you are anything like me, your kids LOVE LEGO®!! All of my kids from the oldest to the youngest play with LEGO® bricks, well maybe not the youngest but as soon as he can hold a LEGO® brick, I have no doubt he will start playing with them. My children could spend hours building with LEGO® bricks. My son loves the Star Wars collection and my daughters love the LEGO® Friends. I played with them as child. I guess it is quite plain to see that our family loves LEGO®.

 

 

 

     I was so excited when I found out that the LEGO® KidsFest was coming to Portland. When I first heard about this event, I knew that my children would love it. They have tons of activities for families to enjoy, including: a Model Gallery, LEGO® Master Builders, construction zones for free play, games arena and a huge brick pile! Tickets are on sale now, $19 for kids and $21 for adults and you can find more information at the website below. Make sure to purchase your tickets online quickly because sessions have been known to sell out. I’ve also included the dates and times of all the sessions.

 

 

http://www.legokidsfest.com/Portland

 

Friday October 11, 2013

4 pm - 8:30 pm

 

Saturday October 12, 2013

Session I: 9 am - 1:30 pm

Session II: 3pm - 7:30 pm

 

Sunday October 13, 2013

Session I: 9 am - 1:30 pm

Session II: 3 pm - 7:30 pm

 

Oregon Convention Center - Halls C, D, & E

777 NE Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

Portland, OR 97232

(503) 235-7575

www.oregoncc.org

 

 

 

 

In closing, here are a few fun facts about LEGO®:

 

• More than 400 billion LEGO® bricks have been produced since 1949.
• Children around the world spend 5 billion hours a year playing with LEGO® bricks.
• LEGO® is the contraction of two Danish words, “leg godt” which means “play well”.
• There are 915 million ways to combine six eight-stud LEGO® bricks.

 

I hope to see you all at this wonderful event. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets soon as these events tend to sell out really quickly. I’m very excited to share in all the fun activities with my family.

 

Women Living Well Review

I wanted to repost my review in a post without a giveaway.

I've had the immense pleasure and privilege of being on the launch team for Courtney Joseph's new book, Women Living Well. It is a wonderful book, filled with encouragement and practical tips and ideas on how to live a God centered life. She talks about how to take pleasure in the roles that God has give you to fill.One part that really spoke to me, in particular, was how she talked about praying while she did regular, ordinary tasks. 

She talked about using those moments to pray for her family and/or to thank God for those things. For instance, when she was making her husband's side of the bed, she would pray for him and thank God for giving her a husband. When she washed the laundry, she would thank God for having clothes to wash. This really struck me. I recently had my fifth child only a little over a year after having my fourth so we were still technically adjusting to four children when the fifth came along. I had been struggling with so much to pick up and do with a year and half old son and an infant son. After reading this in her book, it opened my eyes. I was walking from our dining room into our family room and noticed a toy train on the floor. At first, I immediately had a bad attitude and thought about the five other people that had stepped over this train without picking it up. Then I thought about how my son loved playing with that train, and how if he wasn't around I wouldn't have a train to pick up. I picked up the train and thanked God for giving me that son who left trains and other toys all over my house. I thanked God for giving me him to love and to teach me how to love. I noticed that my attitude towards my household tasks changed after that. I still had times where I was tired and frustrated but they were less and less. I enjoyed taking care of my family in this way because I enjoy my family and I'm so thankful God gave them to me.Courtney's book comes out on Tuesday, October 1st.

Giveaway!! Signed copy of Women Living Well by Courtney Joseph

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I've had the immense pleasure and privilege of being on the launch team for Courtney Joseph's new book, Women Living Well. It is a wonderful book, filled with encouragement and practical tips and ideas on how to live a God centered life. She talks about how to take pleasure in the roles that God has give you to fill.One part that really spoke to me, in particular, was how she talked about praying while she did regular, ordinary tasks. 

She talked about using those moments to pray for her family and/or to thank God for those things. For instance, when she was making her husband's side of the bed, she would pray for him and thank God for giving her a husband. When she washed the laundry, she would thank God for having clothes to wash. This really struck me. I recently had my fifth child only a little over a year after having my fourth so we were still technically adjusting to four children when the fifth came along. I had been struggling with so much to pick up and do with a year and half old son and an infant son. After reading this in her book, it opened my eyes. I was walking from our dining room into our family room and noticed a toy train on the floor. At first, I immediately had a bad attitude and thought about the five other people that had stepped over this train without picking it up. Then I thought about how my son loved playing with that train, and how if he wasn't around I wouldn't have a train to pick up. I picked up the train and thanked God for giving me that son who left trains and other toys all over my house. I thanked God for giving me him to love and to teach me how to love. I noticed that my attitude towards my household tasks changed after that. I still had times where I was tired and frustrated but they were less and less. I enjoyed taking care of my family in this way because I enjoy my family and I'm so thankful God gave them to me.

I've been provided the opportunity to give away a signed copy of this book. I had planned on starting this giveaway yesterday, but I spent the entire day canning applesauce and unfortunately I couldn't get to writing a blog post. Please forgive me for being a day late. This giveaway will run until Sunday night, Pacific Time. I will announce the winner on Monday. 

Courtney's book comes out on Tuesday, October 1st. Also, don't forget about the pre-launch giveaways that she is doing on her blog. Click the picture below for more information.

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To enter the giveaway, use the Rafflecopter widget below. 

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Women Living Well

I have had the great pleasure of being chosen to be on the launch team for Courtney Joseph's new book, Women Living Well. Many of you will recognize her name from her blog, Women Living Well, as well as the Good Morning Girls website.

She has recently written a book entitled Women Living Well: Finding Your Joy in God, Your Man, Your Kids, and Your Home.

 

She talks about obstacles we face as wives, mothers, homemakers, etc. I have really enjoyed this book. I was given an advanced copy to help put the word out as well as review. Below is a trailer announcing the book:

I will be posting a full review when I finish reading the book. So far, it has been very helpful and somewhat convicting. And I'm only halfway through!! I will also be hosting my first ever giveaway for a signed copy!!

If you can't wait for the giveaway and want to pre-order your copy now, Courtney is offering a 10 ebook bundle as a free gift. There are also several other gifts if you order more. Click here to pre-order and for more information on the free gifts click here.

My giveaway will start on September 23rd, so check back then to enter to win a signed copy of this wonderful book!

 

Sparkly Green Earring Books Review

 

 

Sparkly Green Earrings is a wonderful memoir by Melanie Shankle, author of the Big Mama blog and a regular contributor to ThePioneerWoman.com. She is fun and witty as she recounts her experiences with getting pregnant and having her first child. She talks about the infant years, preschool, expectations of other parents, and how becoming a mom changed her. She has a wonderful sense of humor and is candid and honest about her journey as a mom.

 

Chapter titles include "I Wanted My Epidural in the First Trimester", "That Time I Didn't Sleep for Four Years" and "Potty Training:Bringing People to Their Knees Since Forever". She recalls incidents where she went crazy and to great expense creating a shoebox float for a yearly celebration for her daughter's preschool and it ended up being paled in comparison to other parents crazy creations. This is a great, fun, easy read that will have you laughing right along with her. I really enjoyed how honest she was and how much I could relate to her stories. As a mom, I really liked this book.

 

Buy this book at Christianbook and Amazon.

 



Time4learning Review

     I was recently invited to try Time4learning for a month free in exchange for my honest review. I hadn't heard of this website before, so I was excited to check it out. I signed up my three oldest children ages, 10, 7 and 3 as members and we were on our way.

     The website is very easy to use and does a wonderful job of introducing you to its functions and features. My children, with except of the 3 year old, were able to log in and complete lessons without any assistance from me. It includes fun videos that made the kids giggle and laugh and really enjoy learning.

     My 10 year old who is currently in 5th grade especially loved the Language Arts lessons. He loved "The Old Time Wordshow" and "Word Herd". Word Herd is the name for the quizzes. I would hear lots of giggles every time he was working on a lesson. He wanted to do more than one lesson at time because he enjoyed it so much.

    My 7 year old also really enjoyed the Language Arts lessons. She is currently in second grade and easily completed each lesson on her own. She is advanced above the second grade level in some areas and it was very easy to change the difficulty in her lessons.

    My three year old is just learning her numbers and ABC's and the preschool section was very easy for her to follow. She wasn't able to complete the lessons on her own since her computer skills aren't very good, but she enjoyed pointing to what she wanted me or her older brother to click when answering questions.

In closing, I think we will consider joining this website in the future. My children really enjoyed it and continually asked to do more lessons, or "Can I do my time4learning now?" I recommend this program for at least the ages of my children, if not all ages.