More Than A Young Wife & Mom

Here Lies All The Boys Who Broke My Heart: A Review

2026-02-03T13:36:00.001-05:00

This next audiobook review is a good one! I'm not typically a romance girly, but the title and description hooked me.

"Every time a guy breaks my heart, I write him a eulogy in my journal. It’s kind of my thing—closure through creative mourning. They don't actually die... or, at least, they didn't.

Now? These guys aren’t just dead to me, they’re dead to everyone. And I’m the prime suspect.

With my senior year at Pembroke College—and my entire future—on the line, I’ve got no choice but to play detective. Unfortunately, that means teaming up with my long-standing frenemy, Asher, who is insufferable and somehow always there when I need him the least. We bicker, we banter, we occasionally almost hook up, but with the body count rising and my name all over the suspect board, there’s no time to get distracted.

Between college parties, messy exes, suspicious deaths, and a murder investigation I never asked to be a part of—one thing’s for sure: this is not how I thought my last year would go.

Here’s to hoping I can find out who the real killer is... before someone ends up writing my eulogy."

Narration ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Andi Arndt and Aaron Shedlock narrate our story. They gave a great performance, really bringing the story to life.

Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The story follows Sloane, a senior at Pembroke College who's journal goes missing. Ironically, all her former lovers that she's written about start to end up dead. Did I mention that what she writes about them are eulogies?

Flow ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The book flows well from beginning to end. Never a dull moment. Hooked from the first few moments and taken on a ride through the end.

Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I found this to be a very entertaining listen. Romance isn't my typical genre. The mystery/thriller element gives added dimension. The characters are fleshed out well, with real and raw emotions. There's multiple plot twists and each one gets better. It reminded me of Pretty Little Liars, which is my favorite series. I would definitely read this one again to see what clues I missed and would recommend to others.

Disclosure: Thank you Harper Audio Adult/ Avon a, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own. Links to purchase this book include my affiliate information where I may receive small monetary payment for purchases made via these links. All profits go to support my page.

If you'd like to purchase this in any format, it is available on Amazon here as well as other stores online.

Still a young wife and mom?

2026-01-14T11:35:00.000-05:00

It's 2026 and I'm reflecting. We're in Tennessee now. Its been a little over 6 months since the move from Texas. I love it here. I can't describe it but its where we're supposed to be right now. Hubs is loving his new job. Cam is now 10 and has made the adjustment well. Gaming and voice calls have made keeping in touch with his best friend easy. Ari is 16 now, and has had the tougher transition out of all of us, being a junior in high school. But she did get her license a few months ago and her first car for Christmas. A bunch of new friends and in constant contact with her friends back home. Me? Im missing my friends. Its not the same when you're older. We've had 9 years together, including the 2 years we lived overseas.

It's not as easy making mom friends now. My kids are older. There's no playdate groups for this age and stage. I honestly think this time has been for me to reset, but I can't deny it's lonely. And when I do meet moms, I'm usually the youngest mom of a teenager there so its harder to relate. So in a way I'm still a young mom I mean I started young and still going through all the teenager issues young. Maybe I'll find a new group or start one? No my social anxiety could never.

In a couple weeks, we will be celebrating 17 years of marriage and I still don't have it down. Marriage is an ever changing, evolving roller coaster of life with another person. I'm glad my partner is still willingly on the ride with me.

So that being said, I'm considering a rebranding. I have no clue yet what it could be if I go through with it. Just another thing I'm taking day by day.

Life. Marriage. Parenting. Day by day.

The Leaving Room by Amber McBride

2026-01-06T10:23:00.006-05:00

The Leaving Room by Amber McBride, audiobook version

Hey y'all! Happy 2026! New year, new books. Here's my first review of the new year thanks to NetGalley.

"Gospel is the Keeper of the Leaving Room—a place all young people must phase through when they die. The young are never ready to leave; they need a moment to remember and a Keeper to help their wispy souls along.

When a random door opens and a Keeper named Melodee arrives, their souls become entangled. Gospel's seriousness melts and Melodee’s fear of connection fades, but still—are Keepers allowed to fall in love? Now they must find a way out of the Leaving Room and be unafraid of their love. In a novel that takes place over four minutes, National Book Award finalist Amber McBride explores connection, memory, and hope in ways that are unforgettable and poignant."

Narration ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narrated by Amber McBride, the story really comes to life. I loved that the author narrated her own story and the reader was able to really hear her poetic story as it was meant to be heard.

Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The story follows Gospel, a Keeper who helps those who've passed on, move to the other side. She's been alone for all that she can remember until she meets another Keeper. There's a very, slow build to an unexpected plot twist. Almost too slow but necessary to the story.

Flow ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The book flows well in its poetic style. It's consistent in how each chapter opens and lets the listener know without reciting the chapter number. It's a very slow, but necessary, flow for the first half of the book but then picks up and carries you in a current

Uniqueness ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Included with the narration, unique sound effects are added to give an ethereal impression. Usually between chapters along with Melody’s alliteration. Truly a unique experience.

Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I found this to be a great listen. I believe I received more of an understanding listening to the story and poetic flow directly from the author than if I had only read the ebook, or hardcopy. The plot twist was unexpected. I personally would have liked a different or more explained twist but did tie in to the foreshadowed elements along the way well though. I would recommend especially if you like poetic styles of writing.

Disclosure: Thank you Macmillan Audio/Macmillan Young Listeners, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own. Links to purchase this book include my affiliate information where I may receive small monetary payment for purchases made via these links. All profits go to support my page.

If you'd like to purchase this in any format, it is available on Amazon here as well as other stores online. }

"Needy Little Things" Review

2025-02-03T13:35:00.001-05:00

It's been a hot minute since I've reviewed a book. I'm not saying this is anything New Year's Resolution related at all BUT just coincidentally, I've been reading more. I also listened to my FIRST fiction audiobook y'all, and I am hooked!

Needy Little Things, the debut young adult novel by Channelle Desamours is not to be missed! Mystery, suspense, real life topics - it's all here!

In this Young Adult mystery, we meet high school senior, "Sariyah Lee Bryant [who] can hear what people need—tangible things, like a pencil, a hair tie, a phone charger—an ability only her family and her best friend, Malcolm, know the truth about. But when she fulfills a need for her friend Deja who vanishes shortly after, Sariyah is left wondering if her ability is more curse than gift. This isn’t the first time one of her friends has landed on the missing persons list, and she’s determined not to let her become yet another forgotten Black girl.

Not trusting the police and media to do enough on their own, Sariyah and her friends work together to figure out what led to Deja’s disappearance. When Sariyah’s mother loses her job and her little brother faces complications with his sickle cell disease, managing her time, money, and emotions seems impossible. Desperate, Sariyah decides to hustle her need-sensing ability for cash—a choice that may not only lead her to Deja, but put her in the same danger Deja found herself in."

Narrated by Alaska Jackson, the characters comes to life, each with a distinct voice and personality. We follow Sariyah's point of view and hear how the she views her friends' voices and mannerisms. Very entertaining and kept me hooked from the first few lines. The writing and narration felt seamless. The pace and flow were on point. The narrator clearly provides chapter breaks for the listener, which were the only times I paused because the story was so addicting.

As a multicultural woman in her 30's from Atlanta, the places, phrases, and mannerisms are very familiar to me. It may be a little harder to follow for older readers and those unfamiliar with Black culture. This is definitely something I will be re-listening to/reading and recommend. I'm even going to buy a print copy for my daughter. Looking forward to reading more from Channelle Desamours in the future (and looking up other books narrated by Alaska Jackson in the meantime).

Needly Little Things (audio and print) comes out tomorrow, February 4, 2025!!
Click here to visit the author's webpage with all retailer links.

About the Author:

"Channelle Desamours lives and writes just outside of Atlanta, Georgia where she currently teaches high school science at a STEM academy. Her students motivate, challenge, and inspire her daily (and they’re always good for a laugh). She spent many years coaching lacrosse and even enjoyed a brief stint at Zoo Atlanta where she taught children about wildlife conservation and handled all sorts of critters from opossums to juvenile American alligators. Channelle has a BA in biology from Agnes Scott College and an MS in biological sciences from Clemson University. Beyond nerding out about life science in front of large groups of teenagers, Channelle enjoys listening to audiobooks, caring for her house plants, and plotting twisty novels with a touch of magic."

Disclaimer: Thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own, as always.

$5 Physicians Formula Set!

2022-11-10T16:43:00.002-05:00

A nice find today at Five Below today, this 5-piece Physicians Formula The Healthy Lip Velvet Liquid Lipstick, for only $5!! That’s $1 a tube!!

They are decently sized at 2.3ml/0.08 Fl Oz each. Not full sized but bigger than a mini in my opinion. It glides on easily, the colors are cute, and feel great on my lips.

The website shows out of stock but might be worth a trip to your local one. This was the last one on my store’s shelf.

FREE Holiday Planner!

2022-10-20T14:49:00.000-04:00

It's beginning to fell a little festive here lately, so today I'm sharing my FAVORITE holiday planner, and I still can't believe it's FREE!

The Living Well Spending Less Holiday Planner by Ruth Soukup: This amazing planner comes out every year (for the past 11 years!) It's 23 pages to help you be more intentional - going over what you can afford to spend this year, menu planning, grocery lists, gift needs and more! Enter your name and email to get it delivered to your inbox. You can print or keep it digital.

Get it here.

10 FREE Kindle books for World Book Day!

2022-04-26T10:31:00.002-04:00

Discover World Book Day with 10 FREE Kindle books from around the world! Customers who are eligible to purchase Kindle books on Amazon.com can download one or more of the ten featured Kindle books!

Even better, you may be able to add audible narration for only $1.99 each book!

Hurry, this free Kindle book giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. (PDT) on April 27, 2022.

See the list here*

*affiliate link.

Magnolia Store Haul! (All this for $50!!)

2022-03-31T14:50:00.004-04:00

Do you love Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia products and I’m not just talking the made for Target collection?! Me too!

This haul is from the store in Waco, TX via its website. I’ve been to the physical store at the Silos twice (I live in Texas) and fall in love with just about everything, but it’s often not in my budget unless it’s on clearance.

The Magnolia website publishes great clearance deals from time to time. About two weeks ago was the “Great March Markdown” with items up to 70% off!

I gave myself a set budget of $50 pre-taxes and shipping. I ended up with 11 items coming in at only $49.51 ($152 value)!! Here’s the breakdown of what I was able to score:

First thing that caught my eye were these philodendron stems. They are the real touch faux stems. (I purchased a magnolia real touch stem years ago and LOVE the feel.) I bought two stems each of the varying sizes. ($22 value)

Next, is this large jar of faux sprouts and a faux basil stem, perfect for my kitchen windowsill. There was a smaller option but I really wanted them to stand out. My real herbs and sprouts never seem to make it very far but these will be around for a long time. ($30 value)

Then, comes these two decorative metal plates that have an aged look to them and can be displayed on the wall or sitting on a table. These match perfectly with my aged metal tiered stand on my dining table. ($30 value)

Last, but not least, comes my favorite and most expensive items…apparel. At $24 each regularly priced these tank tops were a steal for only $7.20!! I’ve purchased two of their tanks and a t-shirt years ago and still wear to this day. As Texas is now getting up to 80 degrees, I’ll be wearing these very, VERY soon. ($72 value)

Be sure to sign up for Magnolia newsletters to find out when new deals happen. There’s almost always something in the clearance section but the big clearance deals are my favorite!

FREE Netflix Jr. Magazine for Kids!

2022-03-24T09:13:00.002-04:00

This freebie was one that I was a little skeptical about, though it came directly from the company’s social media. I’d never heard of Netflix Jr. but my kids do have kids accounts on Netflix.

Netflix announced a new free magazine for kids called Netflix Jr Magazine, and if your kids are like mine, they LOVE to receive real mail with their name on it! I followed the link and it was so easy to sign up.

Our first issue arrived yesterday! There’s stickers, stories, games and crafts featuring familiar Netflix Jr. characters. This one’s going to become a favorite in our house.

Sign up at https://www.netflixjr.com/subscribe/ and they also offer a free pdf download of this issue for you to check out this issue.

Enjoy!

Free Christian Living E-book ($17.99 value!)

2022-01-15T10:34:00.036-05:00

Hey y'all!

Just found a great looking Christian Living e-book (my favorite genre) that's FREE right now!

Brave is the New Beautiful by Lee Wolfe Blum

"In a culture that bombards women with "thinspiration" messages and pressure to "do it all" while wearing the mask of perfection, women are left feeling alone and overwhelmed. How can they stop comparing themselves to others? How can they live out who they really are?

Lee Wolfe Blum offers stories from everyday women who have answered these questions with their lives—and found true beauty in the process. In Brave Is the New Beautiful, Blum weaves reflections from her own journey with inspirational stories from everyday women who chose to take off their masks and live authentically. Through call-to-action questions and ideas, she encourages readers to be brave enough to be who they really are and the beloved that God knows they are."

Published in early 2017, but still so relevant today!

As of 1/15/22 this e-book is free from the following retailers:

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which provide a small amount of compensation for purchases you may make on the site I referred. For free posts, it's likely I won't receive anything but at they'll know I sent you. Thanks for your support!

Free Audiobook Worth $12.98 (No Subscription or Trial Needed)

2022-01-05T12:22:00.003-05:00

Is reading more one of your resolutions this year?

Description:

"Edward M. Bounds’ practice of prayer and writings upon the topic are like a hearty furnace, stoked and glowing brightly red. Now, others may gather around the luminance of that fire and warm themselves in the glow. The warmth which has spread to millions continues to produce heat and volcanic change."

To get your copy, head over to https://christianaudio.com/free and follow the easy instructions. You can listen on your computer or mobile device.

While you're there, check out some of the other titles on sale for as low as $4.98!

Tell me what you're reading (or on your list) in the comments.

Visiting a Life-Sized Gingerbread Village!!

2021-12-26T13:11:00.030-05:00

Like a childhood dream come true, is the experience of City Place Plaza's 2nd annual Gingerbread Village in Spring, Texas!

"Come experience City Place’s second annual Gingerbread Village where a trail of giant candy canes, lollipops, gumdrops, gingerbread men, and cookie trees, lead to a 16-foot high house and 12-foot tall windmill."

We went on Christmas Eve, just before 5pm. Parking was much easier than expected, finding a spot across from the main entrance of the park. As we passed by the shops, there was a heavenly aroma that begged us to come and enjoy. We were on a mission though.

From the entrance we could see a massive Christmas tree, seemingly floating on the lake. Just beyond that we could see the Gingerbread Village! The walk through the park and around the pond was beautiful. There were touches of modern landscaping, balancing with nature. It was just adventurous enough for the kids to enjoy as well as easy to walk for our grandma. We were all taking photos the entire way!

Two giant gingerbread men guard the entrance to the village. I would have thought it would have been packed but it felt just right. Not too busy, nor too quiet. We were able to take all the pictures we wanted with minimal interruption or photobombs. Selfies galore! Some families were even having professional photoshoots in their cute matching outfits and pajamas. (I'm already picturing us doing this next year, if I can get hubs on board!)

From the youngest to the oldest, we all had a blast! Somehow, this experience is free to visit! No reservations or invitations needed. We will definitely be going back!

In the meantime, City Place Plaza has many events and classes to enjoy. Check them out here.

Gingerbread Village is located at 1250 Lake Plaza Dr, Spring, TX 77389 and will be up until January 7, 2022.

Missed this time? It should be back after Thanksgiving 2022!

Disclosure: Not a sponsored post. Our family just really enjoyed this place.

Review: Feels Like Home by Marian Parsons

2021-10-12T10:26:00.182-04:00

I personally love a home that looks lived in. When it comes to decorating our home, you'll find a mix of a few new items, DIYs, clearance deals and thrift finds. Over the past year since we moved into our home, decorating has been a process - a fun one. I find myself adding more in one room, taking away in another and even stumped on how to make a few bare spaces more homey. I'm always looking for inspiration, whether browsing displays at a store, scrolling through Pinterest, or between the pages of a design book. I was so excited to receive a review copy of Feels Like Home: Transforming Your Space from Uninspiring to Uniquely Yours by Marian Parsons.

Description:

Most of us don’t live in a dream home that was custom built to suit our tastes. We have to work with a house that brings its own style, quirks, and personality to the table. But imagine walking into this house, but it’s perfectly designed and decorated with your style in mind—a home that fits you like a well-tailored outfit and yet is as comfy as your favorite pair of pajamas.

What would that home look like exactly? How would it feel to live in a home styled specifically for you?

The truth is, every home should feel like a custom home and not have to break the bank. In Feels Like Home, DIY makeover queen Marian Parsons (a.k.a. Miss Mustard Seed) teaches you what she’s learned over the years, sharing budget-friendly practical tips that will inspire you to change your space from “blah” to beautiful, from a builder-grade to character-rich home. Each chapter will guide you through detailed, easy-to-implement tutorials for projects, makeovers, decorating ideas, and tips for handling common challenges. Special note-taking spaces are also included for recording your own design ideas. Room by room, you will be empowered to transform your house into the home of your dreams!"

My Thoughts:
I appreciate a design book that doesn't make you feel bad for not having a magazine worthy home. At a recent hospitality event, the speaker reminded us that its not about having the perfect home but how you make your guests feel in it. When I read the same sentiment shared by the author in the introduction, I knew this was gonna be a great read. The author gives a few suggestions on different ways to use her book: as Instruction, Inspiration, Motivation and/or Encouragement. It's easy-to-read with easy-to-implement tips, tutorials and ideas. Depending on what you are looking for, there's something for everyone in these pages. I will be rereading this one often and would make a great gift for a friend.

Available TODAY online and in-store at most book retailers.

Bonus: You can receive a free download of Chapter 7: Creative and Work Spaces by entering your name and email here.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. No other compensation was, nor will be, received. All opinions are mine.

Free Audiobook (No Subscription or Trial Needed)

2021-10-10T12:15:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite places for audiobooks these days is Christian Audio, especially since Christian Living books are my main genre these days. Each month christianaudio.com offers one audiobook for FREE! This month the selection is BEYOND BETRAYAL by Phil Waldrep (normally $7.98).

"We all know what it's like to be lied to, cheated, tricked, or swindled. Whether you want revenge or to protect yourself from future harm, Phil Waldrep understands your pain.

Waldrep had no idea of the steep journey that lay ahead of him when two men walked into his office and revealed an unfolding story of a friend turned colleague who was living what amounted to a second life. For years following, Waldrep sought to heal the wounds of this broken relationship and confront the pain he felt in the aftermath of this betrayal. Along the way, he discovered God's solutions to overcoming resentment.In Beyond Betrayal, you'll learn about the biblical principles and practical tools that can help you:

Identify betrayers in your life and name the pain you feel
Rediscover God as the healer of your wounds
Avoid bitterness and express your anger in healthy ways
And more"

To get your copy, head over to https://christianaudio.com/free, and follow the easy instructions.

You can listen on your computer or mobile device.

While you're there, check out some of the other titles.

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I just really love Christian Audio.

#NoSpend September - Day 2

2021-09-02T22:31:00.001-04:00

It's Day 2 of my #NoSpend September personal challenge!! If you missed yesterday's post, you can read it here.

After a rough morning school run, and minutes until I need to be at my book club, I decide to make a Starbucks run so I can get myself together before going to my friends house...Oh the pain of spending that $5. I don't purchase any food though because we will have some there.

I have to make a run to the grocery store to pickup batteries that ALDI didn't have yesterday. I find that there's a nice sale on apple juice -10 bottles for $10 and I get them. The kids love it and it's the cheapest I will find it right now. I stay away from the other 10/$10 items so I don't overspend. I do peruse the markdown sections, find something, and have a good think about it before putting it back. In the hand sanitizer clearance I find some 75% alcohol wipe packs (the size of baby wipes) for $1 each. I snag 4 of them for the car and my purse. Besides the pandemic, it's going to be flu season soon and those baby wipes aren't cutting it.

I also find some multiuse balaclava face "masks" in kid friendly prints. These will be great for the cooler weather. Plus, they can be used for headbands and all sorts of things. Did we need them no, but they will be handy.

The rest of the day goes well, until...the Labor Day Sales start rolling in. One in particular from my favorite beauty brand - Fenty. Plus, with any $65+ purchase you also receive a makeup bag (which I've been desperately wanting) and a few travel sized goodies. I cave and make a purchase of discounted cosmetics. $70 spent, but it's FENTYYYY! 😭

I've got get myself together!

Maybe I should have started this in October instead?!

#NoSpend September!

2021-09-01T23:00:00.001-04:00

Hey guys!

For the month of September, I am doing a personal challenge in the area of finances - No Spend September. The idea is to only spend what is necessary for our household which not only allows our budget to breathe, while making me use more of what I already have (like that craft supply stash) and get more creative to solve things that I want.

Day 1

I'm feeling really positive about this challenge. I want to pickup some coffee while running these morning errands. That's essential right?! I'm just kidding, I know that I have a free drink reward for a coffee shop. I packed two slices of banana nut bread from home in a Ziploc bag so that I'm not tempted to purchase anything while ordering that drink. I get my pumpkin spice latte and drive off not spending anything.

I get to Walmart and have breakfast in the car. This banana nut bread is yummy! Glad I packed it. I only need to get some nice plates for a book club meeting tomorrow. I was looking for those nice plastic ones like the Mozaik brand, but not finding anything "nice." I pick up some Pioneer Woman paper plates and napkins but keep looking just in case. Now, in my prep talk to myself, I swore I WOULD NOT go down the clearance aisle - but what it the nice plates are there now?! Soooo against my better judgement, I went anyway looking for those plates. Guess what I found instead - a cute, teal truck doormat that's perfect for our porch AND it's only $2!! I wrestle with myself a bit and accept the failure because I've been wanting more teal to match my "Welcome" sign and I hated our plain doormat.

Then, to Aldi for bread and pastries. I make it in and out with no extra items. Whew! I did pay 10 cents for a paper bag though. 😞

Free Audiobook Worth $10.98 (No Subscription or Trial Needed)

2021-01-26T10:37:00.002-05:00

Is reading more one of your resolutions this year?

Description:
"Understanding more of God's character and how he loves us changed bestselling author Holley Gerth's life in beautiful, powerful ways. She realized that she didn't have to settle for "I'm fine" when there was someone whispering to her in every moment, "You're mine." The hope, joy, peace, and purpose she longed for were already there, in the heart of God. Now in 52 devotional readings, Holley shares with women the answer to the restlessness they feel in their hearts that keeps them hurrying, striving, pushing. She shows them that "the God who scattered stars like diamonds across the velvet of the universe, the keeper of every sparrow, the maker of us all, is inviting us to draw closer to him. He is the place where our hearts can go on the hard days and the happy ones, in the highs and lows, when we are sad or frustrated or downright giddy. He is what we've been searching for all along."

Sounds like what we need right now.

To get your copy, head over to https://christianaudio.com/free, and follow the easy instructions.

You can listen on your computer or mobile device.

While you're there, check out some of the other titles. Several of Gerth's other books are on sale as low as $4.98!

$3 Ribbon Clearance at Michael’s!!

2020-10-20T23:19:00.004-04:00

Browsing my favorite Michael’s store I came across these ribbon sets in the clearance section for just $2.97 each!! They vary in different thicknesses, colors and types. I tried to not go overboard but still ended up buying 9 packs, which if you count them individually is somewhere around 50 rolls total!

Ribbon for Homecoming Mums (a BIG tradition here in TX) were also on sale for 50% off. Ours are normally 1.99 a roll for solid colors. I originally had almost 20 of them in hand until I saw the packs.

Your market may vary but it’s definitely worth checking out, especially if your ribbon stash was looking sad like mine.

Making the Most of Halloween 2020

2020-10-13T01:00:00.002-04:00

Let's be real, this year has been a mess - a HOT mess and since it's almost Halloween, let's call it a HAUNT mess!! Anyone else slacking on buying costumes?!

With the pandemic still lingering, Halloween may look different this year. Although I purchase Princess A's costume on the after-Halloween sale, I still haven't purchased Prince C's costume yet. At this point, I don't even know where we'd be wearing them. Is trick or treating canceled? What are we going to do? Coming up with safe and fun ideas to still make it fun has been challenging.

Here are a few things on my list:

Re-wear or upcycle past costumes. If your kids aren't in school or going to any social events, don't feel compelled to splurge on a new outfit. Luckily Prince C is really into superheroes at the moment, and all costumes are purchased a little bigger and go into his dress-up box. When Princess A was little, all her princess costumes also went into her dress-up box as well.
Paint pumpkins. Simple and fun. I'm a BIG fan of double-duty decorating, so here's a tip: if you only paint one side, you can spin it around and keep on the porch for fall themes.
Crafting. I consider crafting separate from pumpkins as it takes more effort and planning on your part. There are tons of ideas on Pinterest and other blogs. Some of the dollar stores have a great selection of ready-to-make projects.
Purchase your own candy or treats and hide around the house. Ideally, bundle in baggies or even reuse your Easter eggs. Pop a glowstick in them and turn off the lights. Be sure to sprinkle in a few tricks along the way.
Have a family Halloween night in. Stay in, watch Halloween movies, play spooky music, bake yummy treats, paint on some canvases.
Breakout the firepit or have a bonfire outside. We have a new firepit and Halloween seems like the perfect time to try it. The weather is just cool enough, especially late in the evening. Roast some marshmallows, have some hot chocolate, and maybe tell a spooky story or two.
Set up a Halloween goodies "store" where the kids can trade candy for Halloween themed items. Or give out coupons to reward good behavior that they can redeem.
Adopt a Switch Witch. Have your kids switch all their treats after trick or treating to get something they really want. While I've heard that some parents are planning to disinfect the candy their kids bring home, I'm still a little iffy on eating things from other people's houses with the virus hanging around. This looks like the best idea and hopefully a new tradition in our family.

"Your Switch Witch and her friends are here to bring their magic and fun to all good boys and girls! Switch Witches need your candy to heat their homes and make their Witchy World go round.

Buy a Switch Witch book and doll set and begin this Fall and Halloween tradition in your home. We’ve got your family covered for Halloween at home this year. On Halloween night your Switch Witch will use her spell to Switchcraft your candy for a special surprise!"

Thanks to the team at The Switch Witch, we have our very own Switch Witch on the way to us. They are also generously giving two of our readers an individual Switch Witch doll of their own!

Enter to win one below or Purchase your own here now:
Set - www.switchwitches.com/product/switch-witch-gift-set
Doll - www.switchwitches.com/product/switch-witch-doll

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as we are receiving a product for compensation. All opinions are mine.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Free STEM book for kids!

2020-10-09T00:11:00.004-04:00

I just found this amazing kid's book on Amazon - "Ara the Star Engineer" by Komal Singh.

Geared for kids aged 5-7 (grades K-3), this STEM book gives little readers an inspiring, inclusive, whimsical way to learn about computers and technology from real-life trailblazers.

"Ara is a young girl who loves BIG numbers. She wants to count all the stars in the sky… but how? This is an upbeat adventure of Ara and her sidekick droid, DeeDee (“Beep!”). They use smarts and grit to solve a BIG problem and discover an amazing algorithm! A quest that takes them through a whirlwind of intriguing locations at Innovation Plex -- Data Centre, Ideas Lab, Coding Pods, and X-Space. Along the way, they encounter real-life women tech trailblazers of diverse backgrounds, including a Tenacious Troubleshooter, an Intrepid Innovator, a Code Commander, and a Prolific Problem Solver. They tinker-and-tailor, build-and-fail, launch-and-iterate, and in the end discover an amazing algorithm of success -- coding, courage, creativity, and collaboration (“Beeeeep!”)."

Be sure to visit their website www.arastarengineer.com where you can download hands-on activities, see learning resources, and so much more!

At the time of posting, "Ara the Star Engineer" ebook is FREE on Amazon Kindle (normally $7.95). This deal may end at any time. Please verify the current price before purchasing. The hardcover retails for $15.95 if that's more you're jam.

Not a sponsored post.

FREE Audiobook ($19.98 value)

2020-10-01T15:52:00.001-04:00

You can listen on your computer or mobile device.

While you're there, check out some of the other titles. With their current sale, many books are cheaper than listed on other sites. I just purchased one myself for a few bucks cheaper!

Hello, October

2020-10-01T14:57:00.005-04:00

Can you believe that it is October?! "It's Fall Y'all!!"

I know, I know - technically fall starts September 22 (or the first week if you're into Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte). Since we're in Texas, the summer lingers a little longer so it's more of an October start for us.

Fall is absolutely my favorite time of year.
- the cool crisp air, perfect for my favorite cardigans and hoodies

- the changing colors of leaves, beautiful shades of oranges and reds
- pumpkin spice everything (I bought a candle the other day and it smells AMAZING!)

- caramel apples
- hot chocolate and hot apple cider
- back-to-back holidays
- seasonal decorating...

Oh, I could go on and on.

What are your favorite things about fall?

Who's Ready for Black Friday Deals?!

2019-11-14T18:54:00.002-05:00

Autumn is absolutely my favorite time of year. The kids go back to school, the weather gets crisp enough for cardigans and boots, and the leaves change into the most vibrant orangey and reddish hues. The months seem to pass by quickly thanks to the holidays. From Labor Day in September to Halloween in October, and then the countdown to Thanksgiving Day begins! It also happens to be the time of year that the best deals start rolling out from retailers.

It seems like every year, the deals start sooner and sooner, but the best deals on clothing, shoes, electronics, toys and more, are still generally reserved for Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving.) From major department stores like Target to electronic goods stores to craft and hobby stores, retailers will be offering the best deals of the year. Many are way too good to be passed up.

With so many retailers participating in the biggest shopping day in the United States, and so many amazing deals to be had, it can be an overwhelming experience to shop - whether you are a Black Friday novice or Black Friday pro. Over the past few years, I have found the best way to prepare for this day of shopping is to use a deal site such as Slickdeals to plan ahead and stay organized.

Slickdeals is a community of millions of deal lovers who are passionate about finding and sharing good deals - be it a sale or coupon code. Together they gather the best deals from around the internet and post them for the other community members to take advantage of. Unlike other websites, every deal on the Slickdeals is posted, rated and reviewed by the community, as well as a team of deal editors. These editors research the price history of these items from many retailers, ensuring the best deals for its community.

When it comes to Black Friday, Slickdeals creates a database of amazing deals as they are released from the retailer and posts them to their website. You can browse the ads themselves by the retailer (an online version of the paper ones you would find in a Sunday newspaper, or search by top deals, category of item and more. You can create a shopping list of your prized deals and print so you are organized for the big day.

I am most looking forward to seeing the deals and doorbusters at Target. I know my kids want a new camera and the Nintendo Switch Lite. Plus, any other deals I can find for myself would be a bonus. So I decided to:

Head over to Slickdeals here and browse the Target ad scan,.
When I have found something I like, or that the kids might have on their wish list, I can add it to my shopping list.
Repeat for any other retailer or particular wishlist item.
When I'm ready to shop, my list shows the retailer, what items I would like to purchase from each one, the total cost of those items before tax and my overall total.
Head to the stores and shop til you drop!

Tip: Be sure to check off the items as you purchase them (even if you find them at a different retailer.) You don't want to buy duplicates of the same item.

Click for a larger view of my shopping list

And while you are out shopping, remember to arrive early, be safe, and have fun. You may not snag all the items and deals that you wanted, but the fun is in the hunt!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine.

FREE audiobook from Christian Audio!

2019-05-07T13:30:00.001-04:00

I recently rediscovered my love of audiobooks and have been growing my library selection. One of my favorite places is Christian Audio since Christian Living books are my main genre these days. Each month christianaudio.com offers one audiobook for FREE. This month the selection is GRACE IS GREATER: GOD'S PLAN TO OVERCOME YOUR PAST, REDEEM YOUR PAIN, AND REWRITE YOUR STORY by Kyle Idleman (normally $10.98).

Description:
"The writer of the letter to the Hebrews said, "See to it that no one misses the grace of God." Over the centuries much ink has been spilled on the subject of grace. Yet perhaps nothing is as hard to explain as God's grace. It doesn't make sense. It's not fair. It can't possibly cover over what I've done. The best way--perhaps the only real way--to understand it is to experience it. But too often in our churches, we're not getting grace across and grace is not experienced.

Bestselling author and pastor Kyle Idleman wants everyone to experience the grace of God. Through the powerful medium of story, Grace Is Greater leads readers past their hang-ups toward an understanding of grace that is bigger than our mistakes, our failures, our desire for revenge, and our seemingly impossible situations. No sin is so great, no bitterness so deep that God's grace cannot transform the heart and rewrite the story.

Perfect for individuals and also for small groups and church-wide studies, Grace Is Greater will help readers truly grasp God's grace, even if the Christians around them have failed to live it."

I've heard of this book a few years ago and never got around to reading it. I'm so glad it's back on my radar, it sounds amazing!

To get your copy, head over to https://christianaudio.com/free and follow the easy instructions.
You can listen on your computer or mobile device.

While you're there, check out some of the other titles. With their current sale, many books are cheaper than listed on other sites. I just purchased one myself for a few bucks cheaper!

What's Giving Me Life 5.3.19

2019-05-03T12:23:00.001-04:00

A tangible record of the things I love each week and possibly a few resources or ideas for you.

The kids are back in school from a LONG spring break (almost a month!!) and things are getting back to normal. The weather has been so nice, making it a great week to get some crafts done!

Here are the things that gave me life this week:
BOOKS: I finished "It's Okay Not to be Okay" by Sheila Walsh a couple of weeks ago. It was later than I'd anticipated but I finished and that's all that matters. LOVED it and highly recommend it especially if you or someone you know is struggling right now.

I began "It's Not Supposed to be This Way" by Lysa Terkeurst. She's another one of my favorite Christian authors. This book has been on my radar since fall and within the first few pages, it's already resonating with me. Looking forward to digging deeper and unpacking all the wisdom in the pages.

PODCASTS: I'm getting caught up on missed episodes from the break and listened to two from Jen Hatmaker, both so exceptional and inspiring!

Series 16, Episode 6 - SARAH BESSEY: LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF BEING BROKEN
Series 16, Episode 8 - RAP ARTIST LECRAE NAVIGATES INJUSTICE & TRAUMA WITH LOVE & HIP-HOP

CRAFTS: Over the weekend I found a cute vanity stool with arms for $6!! It even has storage under the seat! In need of a little paint and an upholstered seat cushion, I thought it was perfect to match my new-to-me full-length mirror. After searching for ideas online, I discovered it was actually a piano bench/stool in its former life. I noticed some scratches in the armrest, probably from a younger player. I purchased some black satin spray paint (to match the mirror) and a beautiful silver crush velvet fabric. I'll keep you updated on the transformation!

The other day I was scrolling through some of my old Instagram photos and came across this gem. I realized how much I loved that sign and hadn't made one yet so I got to it. I'm loving the finished product. Stay tuned for the DIY post.

Yesterday, I finished my creative apron. I feel like all great artists wear an apron, right?! Or, maybe it will just keep my clothes clean while giving me a few pockets for tools and my phone. Using rainbow holographic heat transfer vinyl, my Cricut Explore Air, my Cricut EasyPress and a cheap apron from Amazon it was a success.

And today I stopped into my local hardware store looking for a sheet of plywood for the upholstered seat. I came across a section of unmarked wood and MDF. I flagged down an associate who told me they were cut scraps and they were FREE!! I walked away with 8 pieces ranging in size from 24 inches to 48 inches long. The last one should do the job once it's cut down to size. The rest is a bonus!!

What do you think I should do with the rest of it?! Let me know what you think and, as always, what "gave you life" this week!