Cole Clan

Living it

2012-02-08T06:39:00.000-06:00

I am certainly not living the life I should. I mean, don’t we all fall so short of what we hope for ourselves and short of what God has for us?

We talked this week about what it is that pulls us away from what we should do. Is it that we are too busy? Too tired? It is too hard to do _______ (fill in the blank______?

Well, I have not arrived, by any stretch, but as much as I fail, I occasionally do something right. So often I think I hit the mark most with my children than with myself.

(Now after the past 2 weeks or so, I am not feeling too proud as a mom, but I am not sure that is truth I am leaning on…. another issue for another day..)

Anyway, last fall our church took over the management of a local food pantry. I have always wanted to be more involved in service projects, but with 4 little kids it is hard to be able to do too much. With our church so involved though,and knowing nearly all the adults working there I decided to get my older boys involved.

So each Thursday morning, they head to our local food pantry for about 2 to 2.5 hours. Many weeks they go back in the afternoon too, to help again about 4:30 until 6pm. They LOVE it. I mean they live to do this. They do extra work on Wednesday to make sure they can go, the do extra work when they get home. They wake up on Thursday excited to go. I love their hearts!

I had not been, until about a week ago. I simply was not able to get away and go, and with my back I was not sure there was a ton that I could do. But I finally made it a priority to go and help out alongside my youngest boy and my oldest. E has been BEGGING to go for months, but he is a bit young to be there without Robert or me. So we have not allowed him to go.

It was so much fun! It was fun to work and help, it was fun to bless so many families, It was fun to just visit with the other people working there. The most fun?

Watching my oldest boy show me the ropes, and delight in watching him work!! (I wish he worked that hard here with his chores…again another issue for another day….)

I am not sure how often I will get over there, but I loved helping and loved watching my boys love helping! I am thrilled they are committed to this ministry. Another part I love? The people who work along side my boys (really mentoring them in many ways) and how they are encouraging my boys, and confirming the truths we are teaching them. These amazing adults are living It. They are walking the walk and serving when they could be home with their feet up, or simply living up their retirement. But they are not. They are serving so many in Malakoff that need them!

I am loving this part of parenting – the pride of seeing my boys’ hearts pumping outside their bodies!!

Check out our church’s ministry called Faith In Action:

allowing truth to be truth

2012-02-04T06:52:00.000-06:00

So, what do you do when things do not go the way you hope? When you are investing and see nothing coming from all your work? When no matter what, all you feel like you are doing is correction/discipline, over and over.

I am not sure the right answer, honestly. But I know that, just as God is still working on me, I must admit and allow for the fact that God is still working on each of their little hearts too. I was, gently, reminded today that I am planting seeds daily. I may not see those seeds (all of them) sprout, may not see much fruit, but if I continue to plant them, one day they will sprout and grow and hopefully bear fruit!

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the Earth. He does not grow tired or weary, his understanding no one can fathom.

Isaiah 40:28

(our family memory verse this week)

So while I am very frustrated, and I feel like I am dealing with issues we should no longer be dealing with, I can see there is some goodness in their hearts. They are memorizing multiple verses at one time, and really learning them. So, yes, school may be crazy, but if they are getting these truths and verses in their hearts, maybe I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing.

Maybe, and I should say, certainly – the truth of God is far more important than an algebra problem, a grammar sheet, really anything. So if that is true, then maybe I need to not stress so much about the other stuff. It will work out.

James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:1-4

(J & P are memorizing this for Sunday night study of James)

Being raised an only child, I am just not sure what this family should look like, how much I should tolerate as acceptable in their behavior, what I should let go. I want them to behave, but life with one child looks so much different than a life with 4 children – especially 4 within 5 years of each other. And I daily have to remind myself that these boys are good boys, they love Jesus with all their heart, they are just simply energetic, busy, and active boys. Sometimes I wish that God would send me a text to remind me of these things. It would sure help me to handle things without losing my cool, much more often!

Always good to remember God’s truths, remember who made me and who made these precious gifts I get to raise for a few short years. Hoping next week goes better, maybe with a better outlook and attitude my week will be better than I expect!

Weekly Wrap Up : February 3rd

2012-02-03T17:54:00.001-06:00

In my life this week…

I dug into another {amazing} book and am thoroughly hooked! We trekked to Dallas for some fun, and we are still eating little/no sugar daily. Woo Hoo!

In our homeschool this week…

Well, another story all together. School days are not moving as efficiently as I would like. I have not figured out the root of the issues we are having, or I would hope to not be having them. Days are still too long, and kids are too distracted! However, I am hoping this is simply a result of the crazy weather and that we are simply dealing with Early Spring Fever!!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Not sure I am feeling too helpful these days, and surely not worthy of offering advice!

I am inspired by…

Why I do what I do. If I was not inspired by the the goal at the end of this, I may just have to throw in the towel. I am inspired by the fruit I have glimpsed, but would sure love to see more fruit daily with more of my “students!!”

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We trekked to Irving to see the KLTY studio this week and had a fabulous time!

Then after a yummy lunch at Cici’s pizza (and some great Tom & Jerry on the tv there) we made our way to downtown Dallas. I was not sure my kids would enjoy the Dallas Museum of Art, but I was so pleased when then loved it! I heard, more than once, that this was “the best museum ever” – what music to my ears!!

My favorite thing this week was…

The DMA – and the excitement of the kids seeing an Andrew Wyeth, a Mary Cassat (we studied her) and lots more fun things! I loved seeing how much fun they were having!

What’s working working for us…

----check back next week to see

Things I’m working on…

Working on applying some things I learned in the book Organizing Small Spaces, trying to make some changes in the order of our home. So far, I am loving the changes!

I’m reading…

The Last Plea Bargain by Randy Singer (the book I am hooked on) and about to read Hunger Games.

I’m cooking…

This week, I am learning to use Sucanat to replace sugar in our regular recipes. So far, I have loved the chocolate sauce and caramel sauce that made my coffee ~wonderful~ and still “sugar-free” – cannot wait to try more!

I’m grateful for…

The habit of gratitude, I love picking up my gratitude journal and filling it even when things are not going so well. Makes me see how blessed I am, even when I am not “feeling” it. I am grateful to Ann Voskamp for instilling this habit in my life!

A photo (or 2) to share…

At KLTY Radio Station – so fun!!

The Chicken Whisperer

Book Review : Four Letter Words

2012-01-30T07:29:00.001-06:00

From the ever changing stack of books on my nightstand, I am not sure you could figure out what I like. Among the devotions books, the historical fiction, the biographies and the Apologetics, you might find a legal thriller, romance or even a book about Dinosaurs in the Garden. With four kids, getting older every day, I am constantly trying to choose books that satisfy my hunger for knowledge and entertainment, but I am also longing for books I can share or pass along to them, which will strengthen their faith.

My latest find was Four Letter Words, by Bill Giovannetti. I am not sure what exactly peaked my curiosity and caused me to request this book, but I am sure glad I did. I was hoping this book would be a great tool to use with my oldest, almost 11, to help him get an early and gentle grasp of Apologetics. I want to make sure that my kids are grounded in “their” faith, not mine, and that they can understand and defend it. Those two goals are lofty ones at best!

When I started with Four Letter Words, honestly I was a little slow with it. Sometimes I like to slowly savor the words of certain authors so that my mind has time to really process it. I find that if I fly through a book, a few weeks later I can only tell you if I liked it, and not much else. With a book like Four Letter Words, I think you will want to slowly move through it. There is so much great information that you want to allow that information to really take root in your mind, so you can call upon that knowledge in the future.

In ten chapters, Mr. Giovannetti covers topics such as truth [True], knowledge [Know], suffering [Pain], and also [Evil] – these topics are all topics we wrestle with, but seeing how people of other faiths wrestle with these within their own religions is eye opening. Understanding how our approach to God as LOVE – is completely unique to ONLY the Christian faith. Being able to understand so many of these issues in a way that you could casually bring some of these topics up with friends, neighbors, or strangers to ultimately share your faith with them, is priceless.

My boys are still young, but I would love to share this book with them gently; maybe go through a chapter with them and talk about it over many days or a couple weeks. I loved how Mr. Giovannetti started each chapter with a list of Touchy Ideas and then listed a few Touchy Scriptures, pertaining to each subject he addresses. These would offer some great in-depth study based on the Christian World View before getting into the “meat” of the chapter. Then you could dig into the rest of the chapter. Finally at the end of each chapter is a list of talking points : ideas to addressing this subject with others, main points he made and questions to make you think. Throughout the book are QR reader icons that you can scan as well to go directly to links that Mr. Giovannetti has put together on his website with even more information related to the chapter. (There is even a downloadable/printable reader guide that would be great to use with friends or your kids.)

I especially enjoyed how Mr. Giovannetti takes you through a series of other faith’s beliefs on the chapter – for instance in the chapter on Hell he then describes the Universalism (Pluralism) beliefs, the Universalistic Inclusivism beliefs, Universalistic Exclusivism, and Annihilationism. In other chapters he explains the beliefs of Monism and Naturalism. When you complete this book you will feel like you spent a great deal of time reading the cliff notes of a couple Seminary classes.

If you want to really know how your faith compares to a multitude of philosophies held around the world, this is a great book for you. If you want to help equip your child to stand firm in a world that wants to steal their faith and corrupt it, this is the book for you. It is a very in-depth examination of the hard questions we all ask, or need to ask.

I highly recommend this book for all Christians, but especially for any middle-schooler or high-schooler and any parents! What a great tool for adults and kids to dig into understanding why they believe what they believe.

To see what others are saying about Four Letter Words check out LitFuse.

About Bill Giovannetti:

Dr. Bill Giovannetti is a professor at A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary and the senior pastor of Neighborhood Church of Redding. An experienced speaker and author, Bill informs the mind in ways that touch the heart. He enjoys life with his wife and two kids in northern California. For more information about Bill and his other books, visit http://maxgrace.wordpress.com and http://fourletterwords.org.

About the Giveaway:

Bill is celebrating the new Kindle edition of Four Letter Words (for only $4.99)! He’ll be traveling coast to coast over the next few weeks on this virtual book tour and he's celebrating by hosting a great giveaway!

Click here (http://fourletterwords.org/2012/01/contest-giveaway) to find out how you can win two gift certificates to Amazon (in the amount of $50 and $25) and free downloads of his yet-to-be-released title, Recession-Proof: Living a God-Blessed Life in a Messed Up World.

The whole scoop here: http://fourletterwords.org/2012/01/contest-giveaway/

NOTE: I was offered a copy of Four Letter Words at no cost, in exchange for an honest review.

Weekly Wrap Up : January 27th

2012-01-27T06:54:00.000-06:00

In my life this week…

School was hard, I seem to remember last week reporting that it was in a groove and good. Ugh!!!

In our homeschool this week…

We schooled far too long EVERY day! Ughh – again!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Character training is far more important that math, reading, science or anything else. I believe this is truth, I have a hard time living it though.

I am inspired …

James – the book. I am being blown away by Beth Moore’s study of this book. And I am loving that I am living it with the ladies in this study and my kids.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We stayed home this week, well when you are schooling until 2 or 3 pm daily it is hard to run around. Today though, I am heading up to Dallas and will get to stop at Whole Foods (woo hoo) and see a few friends (more woo hoo).

My favorite thing this week was…

Working at the food pantry with 2 of my boys. They have been going, almost weekly, for several months. They love it. They are getting to know so many Godly men through our church while they work there. I never get to go though, I have to be home with the younger ones. It was so fun to see J know this place, know what to do, jump in and do it. It was such a blessing to serve alongside these boys and I was a proud momma!

What’s working/not working for us…

Our schedule is so not working! Diligence is not happening…. something will change next week…. I Hope!!

I’m reading…

Made to Crave – and OH MY!! I cannot wait to share the stuff I have learned from this book. It is amazing!! I am loving it – may be the best book I have read in a LONG time.

I’m cooking…

Nothing great, ok well I made some Quinoa Burgers this week and they were fantastic!! I loved them and so did my whole family!! But next week, I plan to have some desserts cooking up – sugar free!! I cannot wait. I have a list, once I get a few key ingredients (at Whole foods) and I will be off baking!!

Book Review : Mornings With Jesus

2012-01-27T05:12:00.000-06:00

Who does not want to start their day off on the right foot? I would venture to say we all do. However, no matter how much we want to start the day right, sometimes we struggle to figure out how to make that work. The book Mornings With Jesus is a tool that will help us all start each day of 2012 off on the right foot.

I have seen many devotion books, used many. What makes this book different from the others? First, the contributors are a cast of current Christian Authors including Tricia Goyer. I also really like that each devotion takes about 5 minutes to read through, who does not have five minutes to offer up in the morning? Lastly, each devotion starts with a verse of scripture related to the topic of the day’s devotion and ends with a through provoking “Faith Step.” I loved both!

In a perfect world we all grab a cup of hot coffee, wander to our table, comfy chair, or by the toasty fire and have a wonderful quiet time of prayer, study and reading. Reality, we are lucky to grab 5-10 minutes each morning before the world hits! My world : 4 little people descending upon the kitchen. Hard to have a perfect/idyllic quiet time at this point in my life. But I can find 5 minutes to connect, to be encouraged and inspired. This book works for me – because even on the days I get up early enough to have a decent amount of time alone, this book is still part of my quiet time – it still inspires me, still offers some encouragement and still is truth; but on the mornings I am running and cannot catch much of a breath I have time for these great devotions!

I highly recommend this great devotion book to women in all walks of life – no kids, little ones, or an empty nest – it will bless you no matter what!

And, guess what? I have a copy of this great book to share with you! I will be sending out a brand new copy of this great book to a lucky reader – so leave a comment below and tell me why this book would be a perfect tool for your quiet time, and you may get to find out why I am loving my copy!!

To read what others are saying about this wonderful devotion book check out HERE.

NOTE : I received this book at no cost, in exchange for an honest interview, from LitFuse.

Book review : The Sound of Red Returning

2012-01-25T06:51:00.000-06:00

The latest book on my nightstand is The Sound of Red Returning by Sue Duffy. I have not had the pleasure of reading anything by Sue Duffy before this book, but I look forward to reading more by her in the future!

The Sound of Red Returning grabbed my interest from the beginning. This is a story about a woman, Leisel Bower, whose mentor turns out to be a double agent for the Soviet Union and the US. Leisel is a famous concert pianist, and her love of music is throughout the story. After the murder of her mentor while in Russia, she is hoping to put her connections to that man and those involved in his murder behind her. Instead, the KGB believe she knows something and track her down to get what they want.

This story takes place in current times, but there is a great deal of the book taking you back to her time with family growing up. Leisel grew up in Charleston, South Carolina and she spent a great deal of time on the water when she was younger.

Flash forward from growing up there with her grandmother, now her grandmother is in a nursing home and a nice young man is renting the apartment in her house. Cade is in town with his grandfather in tow, trying to fix up the house he is renting, that is falling apart around his ears. His grandfather is a delightful cantankerous character you cannot help but love. The two are drawn into the drama as it unfolds around Leisel.

There is a great deal of action in this book, suspense and, of course, a sprinkling of romance. You cannot help but love the characters, they are real and could be people you know. The are instantly likeable and you want to keep going along in the journey with them.

This book is the first in a series that Sue Duffy is writing, and honestly I cannot wait to see what she does next. I love the twists this book takes. I really enjoyed the tie-ins with the U.S. President and some trips to Israel, as well. I am a sucker for a book that weaves in enough accurate current events, or facts from history that I am reluctant to put the book down! I was very reluctant to put this book down, and sorry to see it end!

I highly recommend Sue Duffy’s books The Sound of Red Returning for any fiction reader!

To read what others are saying about The Sound of Red Returning, check out the schedule of other reviews HERE.

Win a Kindle Fire from @SueDuffy2 and @KregelBooks in the "Red Returning" Giveaway! Sue Duffy and her publisher, Kregel Publications, are celebrating the release of The Sound of Red Returning by giving away a Kindle Fire prize package worth over $200 to one lucky winner!!!! (1/23-2/11)

Enter the Sue Duffy’s Giveaway today and you could win:

* A brand new Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi
* The Sound of Red Returning (Book One in the Red Returning series) by Sue Duffy

To enter click one of the icons below. But, hurry! The giveway ends on 2/11. Sue will be announcing the winner of the “Red Returning” Giveaway on February 13th on the Litfuse website!

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Note : I was offered a copy of The Sound of Red Returning, at no cost, in exchange for an honest review, by Kregel Publishers.

Homeschool Find!

2012-01-24T13:52:00.001-06:00

Who knew? Well, I never really thought I needed it to ask. But today I was skimming my yahoo group daily distro (not even sure which one) and someone mentioned how they love generating worksheets on WorksheetWorks – OH MY!!!
This is, like, brilliant and so amazing for this momma of 4 different grades, 5 kids (4 plus, really), at all levels in many areas! Oh my!!

I am so excited because of one main reason. My kids love learning cursive. Yet, I do not want to make it a “goal” because then they will hate it and whine. Weird, I know. So I am trying to gently offer cursive lessons without making it seem like work.

This website can print out their verses for them to copy in cursive and they can copy, or trace! This may not excited anyone else, but it made my morning!

I also printed the verses my kids copywork (in print) for my youngest son, and a copy for my little girl. And she sat and copied the same three her brothers did.

This morning, my oldest (did not use this website with him, but he still copied verses) wrote his in print, but since I taught him cursive lower case b’s yesterday, all the b’s on his copy work sheet were cursive! They are tickled to be learning, and I am thrilled that it is not something we are fighting about.

For simple letter practice I did use Donna Young’s site to print out a sheet for 2 letters and lots of room to practice.

I do love her site – so many great tools there too! But for copy work that I want to control, I simply love WorksheetWorks!! There is more than just handwriting too – check out their math (great for review), geography, and lots of fun puzzle like things. These will be great to use while we are travelling this year, for their notebooks to have in the car!!

Spring Garden : In

2012-01-24T05:57:00.000-06:00

I love this part of the garden, not as much as the final product, but I still love the planning, the excitement of what we are going to put into the ground, the hope of what will spring forth from the ground in the coming weeks and months!!

We had a wonderfully productive day on Sunday! We arrived home from church, and after we ate some lunch we all headed out to work in the garden! The weather was so nice, almost 70’s, even though the wind was blowing like crazy!

We planted 2 rows of three different kinds of potatoes, hope that is enough this year. Then, we also planed lettuce (bibb and romaine), Swiss Chard (my favorite), radishes (a family, minus me, favorite), beets, onions, and some Pak Choi, not really sure what that is!

Everyone planted something, which is another favorite part – they are all so excited about getting seeds in the ground and planting things! They love to watch their row grow and occasionally help weed too!

Once we finished with our early seeds that needed to get into the ground, we moved into the garage to pick up a bit. Robert built a new work bench, which I love! Got the Miter Saw off the ground and cleaned things up a bit.

Then I found some old wood, a piece of fence I found somewhere many months ago. I saw a sign somewhere that someone made, and decided I needed a sign too! So here is our new garden sign!!

And with a few more fence boards, I cut them up to make signs for our garden rows.

I am also pretty excited because we finally got around to ordering trees on Sunday! We ordered many peach trees, a few apricot and then a bunch of Knock Out Rose Bushes. I am absolutely so excited to get all these items in and into the ground! I know fruit trees take a while to get going, but oh, the promise of our own fruit in the years to come!! I cannot wait!!

I am working on convincing Robert to put in a corn patch and a wheat patch this year too. Just a small 12 x 12 area, to see how they do in our soil and in our yard. If they both do well, then we can plant a bigger spot next year.

I love all this gardening, it reminds me that spring is right around the corner too!!

Happy Planting, in your neck of the woods!!

kids in the kitchen

2012-01-21T08:08:00.000-06:00

I am not so great with this…. this kids in the kitchen. I mean, mine help a lot, and have for years, but letting them go? Uhh, not so much.

In fact, when it comes to helping, they start helping, but when I need to hurry it along, or stir it “better” they quickly get disinterested and wander away.

This, my friends is why I love 4H. I love it for many reasons, it gets my kids speaking in front of groups, it encourages them to learn all sorts of new things, and it provides an environment to reward success. But right now, tonight, I am loving that it has gotten me thinking that my kids need to be in the kitchen more without me interfering.

They, all four, made something to show for 4H this Saturday. They all made or helped make their dish in the past (aside from AG). So this time, I sat back and supervised. PJ made Spanish rice! (Guess who is not making rice anymore?) He is the new Spanish rice cooker in our home.

{no picture snapped of him, I forgot…}

J made Energy Bites – he has made them twice before with no help and he loves to make these and eat them.

E made cranberry salsa which he has helped me in the past, and I did help him a bit, but he did the bulk of it.

Finally, AG made chocolate chip Zucchini bread.

So for the 4H thing, it is not just the kitchen cooking part. They have to be able to talk to the judged, make eye contact, and communicate that they know their product. Not sure how that will go, but for now I am so glad we did this. I think I am going to start delegating more of the meal preparation in the future. I know J is old enough to start doing some serious kitchen cooking, I just need to remember to let him!!

** My favorite part of this whole thing? Well, we all had recipes – they had their own recipe for their item. But as we made each we talked about how we could change it up. Make it healthier, or just change it. I cook that way. I look at a recipe and say, how can I make that mine? What would I change. So I love getting my kids to think that way too. If you are out of one thing, can you substitute? Thinking on their feet will save them many days of their lives, so why not teach them now?

Book Review : Alienation

2012-01-21T05:58:00.000-06:00

When books arrive here (which they do often) my oldest is always anxious to know when he will get to read it.

Alienation (A C.H.A.O.S. Novel)

This book, Alienation by Jon S. Lewis, was no exception.

Instead of insisting I read it first, I let him go and he finished it the afternoon he started it! Here is what he had to say about it:

I really liked it – it is a good book.

Q: What did you like about it?

A: There was a lot of action, and there were aliens living on Earth.

Q: Who was your favorite character and why?

A: Colt, the main character. He was dealing with the death of his parents, and his Grandfather stepped up to be like a father. His grandfather also instilled Colt’s faith in him. Colt was injected with alien blood when he was six, and as a result has alien-like reflexes.

Q: What was your favorite part?

A: When Colt and his friends were in the Battle Simulator and he was battling the enemy. It was tense because Colt could feel pain from injuries and he could have been killed while fighting.

Q: What inspired you about Colt?

He went to a military academy, when given the chance to flee danger he faced it, and his faith.

Q: Why would you recommend this book to someone else?

A: I think they would like it if they like action or suspenseful books. There was a lot of shooting, and I think most boys would enjoy reading about that. Especially kids interested in serving in the military.

Win an iPad from @JonSLewis and @NelsonFiction in the Alienation iPad2 Giveaway! The invasion was only the beginning! Jon Lewis is celebrating the next adventure in his fast-paced C.H.A.O.S. series with an explosive giveaway!

One thrill-seeker will receive:

iPad2 with Wi-Fi
Copies of the C.H.A.O.S. novels, Invasion and Alienation

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on February 7th. Winner will be announced at the Alienation Facebook Party on 2/7. Jon will be hosting an Author Chat, giving away copies of the books and gift certificates to iTunes and Amazon.com! Don't miss a second of the intrigue!

Grab your copy of Alienation and join Jon on the evening of February 7th for an author chat, spy training (How much do you know about alien invaders?) and lots of giveaways.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!

This is book #2 in a series by Jon S. Lewis – but I do not think Jacob missed out on anything having not read the first. We are already looking for book #1 though and anxiously awaiting book #3. So if you have a young adult reader in your life who enjoys action and a bit of science fiction, this is the book for you!!

To read what others are saying about this book check out the schedule from LitFuse.

NOTE : I received this book from LitFuse at no cost, in exchange for an honest review, by LitFuse Publishers.

Book Review : Then Sings my Soul

2012-01-20T20:44:00.001-06:00

As a homeschool family that follows the Ambleside Curriculum, we have thoroughly enjoyed our study of hymns for the past two years. When I was looking for a book that I could us for our study of hymns, I was not sure where to start. Just any book is not ideal to help teach younger children about hymns and help them love them.

Then Sings My Soul Book 3: The Story of Our Songs: Drawing Strength from the Great Hymns of Our Faith (Then Sings My Soul (Thomas Nelson))

Recently I was blessed with a copy of Then Sings My Soul by Robert Morgan, from Thomas Nelson publishers. I was so excited to read through this book and see if it would be a good book for our family to use in the future for Hymn study, and let me assure you, it is perfect!

The first section of the book spends about 55 pages going through different Hymns : Biblical, Ancient, Medieval, German, English and finally Gospel Songs to Contemporary Praise. In this section you will have a chance to really understand where these hymns came from, what inspired the authors of those days to write what they did, also what was going on that would impact the words they wrote. This would be a great section to use with older children to dive in deeper, and have a meatier study.

The next section is “Do you know these Hymns?” There are 60+ Hymns with the words and music and the story. It would be easy to track down each of the songs on www.youtube.com to listen along, as you are studying them. So often after reading the story behind the hymn, it becomes much more sentimental to me, and the story replays in my mind when I hear the hymn. I want that for my kids too, to understand these are more than just songs.

The last part of the book is titled “Six Hymn Stories I love to tell” – and my favorite was West Point, Two Women and the World’s Most Famous Children’s Hymn. What a great story about two ladies who loved God and opened their home to some lonely cadets from across the Hudson River (yes, my alma mater!!). I am not going to give away the sweet details, but make sure you check it out!!

This would make a fantastic tool for any family who wants to dive into Hymns and gleam some amazing messages of Christ in those lyrics. I highly recommend this book even if you are not going to use it for a Hymn study with children. It would make a great “non-traditional” quiet time, devotion book. I promise that reading through the words of these hymns and the stories behind them will fill your heart and soul with the love of God. Seeing how he has worked through the lives of such varied people is always an encouragement to me.

Note : I was offered a copy of Then Sings My Soul, at no cost, in exchange for an honest review, by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Weekly Wrap Up : January 20th

2012-01-20T14:49:00.001-06:00

What a glorious week we have had here in our little world. School seems to be back into a good routine, the weather has been beyond fabulous, and we ended the week spending the day with some wonderful friends and catching up! Does it get better?

In our homeschool this week…

we got back into a routine – and it feels so good! We are enjoying a new chapter in our Apologia Botany Book – we are studying about fruits and seeds and all that good stuff. Perfect timing as we discuss what it a vegetable and what is a fruit, because we are planting lots of seeds and vegetables right now in our garden!!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Relax and enjoy it, even when it does not go the way you think it should. Good comes from even the bad days!

I am inspired by…

My boy. On Wednesday at church he was talking with another boy who comes to our class somewhat regularly. Then afterward this same boy was saying something again to my boy before we left. I asked what was said. On the way to the car he told me he gave his friend a $1 to get a cupcake at the cupcake sale. I was floored. He did this on his own, unbeknownst to me.

Earlier we went to the table to get a t-shirt (he did) and pulled out his money to spend HIS money on a T-shirt for 60 Feet (see below) – and he saw they were $20 and he only had $9. Well, I took his money and bought one for him. I did not know what he did earlier. a $1 would not have allowed him to purchase one either way, but he did not keep in in case. Amazing. He inspires me.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We enjoyed a fun day with friends from Arlington today! We had fun trying to pet the chickens and more fun feeding Clarabell some mustard greens from the garden! She loves them!!

My favorite thing this week was…

Just having the days go well. The weather has been so amazing too, and having warm days just makes life easier!

Also, 60 Feet came to our church to talk about their ministry this week. Wow. All I can say. Maybe I will share more in the future, until then – check them out!!

What’s working….

Right now, school is working well. We are back in the school building. We started back with Latin and Map Drills – it has been too long since we have done either! The kids were honestly thrilled to do both! I love that.

Our Co-Op is such a blessing to! Makes the week fly by – we meet on Wednesday and just enjoy each other so much!

What’s not working….

Just the mess – the dirt on the floor, all of it – but then, I remind myself why there is a mess. Why the mess is okay, even if I struggle with that – a happy heart in my child is more important than a perfectly clean floor. The floor is dirty because me kids are playing outside and coming it. It is okay. Or so it should be.

I’m cooking…

Well, not me so much, but my kids are all showing food for 4H tomorrow – I cannot wait! They have been preparing and cooking all day! I am so proud of each of them!!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

My favorite quote for the week :

If you are not living it, you do not believe it.

Beth Moore (James study)

It is over! {imagine me doing the happy dance}

2012-01-16T08:01:00.000-06:00

Whew.

I can finally have sugar again. Can. And yes, I will. I am not sure when, how much or how, but I know I will be eating some sugar today and in the days to come.

Boy. I have learned, that I can live without sugar. I can. But, since food is not my idol, nor does what I eat define me, I will not live without sugar.

From today on, I plan to eat a Sugar-Less diet. Not diet in the sense short term, but I plan to lessen the amount of sugar we eat as a family. Robert has been wanting bees since before we arrived here, and I was always fully on board for getting them “later”. Well, later is now. I am not sure how soon now will be for us, but I am all for getting them as soon as we can. If we can start to get our own honey, that would make sugar-less living so much easier!

But as a woman who loves God with all her heart, with all she is, I am a woman who is not defined by my body size, the calories I consume or by what I eat. However, my body is a temple that God allows me to occupy for a set amount of time. As I try to keep my house clean, and my kids healthy, I need to try to keep this body in the best shape I can as well. So eating healthier is part of that.

If I have a bad day and do not exercise I am not pleasing God any less than the day I run a marathon (insert laughing out loud here). Honestly, we all have good days and bad, and the best I can do is to aim high, hopefully get close to my mark, and in the meantime, do the best I can.

Saturday night I did try a crazy recipe from Healthy Families For God and I made homemade sugar-free Samoas. Oh my. I expected disaster – I mean really? Why mess with girl scout cookie perfection. I even tried to talk them down to Robert. They were not super easy to make, but they would not be super easy with sugar either, let’s keep it all in perspective. But once they were all together, I thought they were mighty good! I then, realized I could live sugar-free, that is if I felt like I was called to do such a thing. Lucky for me, I do not feel that calling.

Instead, I will watch how much junk food I made and buy. I will get rid of almost all candy as it enters my house (not by eating it). And I will try to find healthy alternatives.

More importantly I have woken up, realized I was HIGHLY addicted to sugar and I know now that it is bad to be there. It is bad to be addicted to anything that if you take 24 hours away from it you have issues (headaches, anger, anxiety, etc). I do not want to be addicted to anything other than God. Honestly. Honestly I want to want him as much as I wanted sugar on day 2, 3, or 4 of my fast – if I wanted him that much my life would look so very different'.

So, there you have it. You can do it. It takes more than 3-5 days though, I suggest 2 weeks. By 2 weeks of no sugar you kind of want it, but know without a shadow of a doubt you do not need it. And let’s be honest – we really do not need it.

Here’s to eating better in 2012!

Book Review : Small Space Organizing

2012-01-16T06:49:00.000-06:00

By many my house would not qualify as a small space; however when you have 6 people living in a 3 bedroom house, I think it could be considered a small space.

I was fortunate enough to be selected to review Small Space Organizing by Kathryn Bechen this month.

I am not sure about you, but it seems January is all about organizing, sorting and cleaning things out! It seems that this is more than just me since just about every blog I follow is posting articles on the same thing. I think with a new year we all just want things a bit more de-cluttered and organized!

I have enjoyed this book as I read through different rooms of the house and about various tips to help you get a handle on organizing. While 1800 square feet of space is not small, 6 people and all their stuff can make just about any place seem small! So I thought this would be a great book to help me get a handle on things.

One tip I enjoyed was Kathryn’s take on books. If you know me, read this blog, or have every visited my house, you know that books could take over if we let them! She mentioned 2 options : having a library, or putting books throughout your home. Like I said, we have 3 bedrooms and not an extra “library” room, so we opt for #2 – we have books throughout our home. Specifically, she suggested we are careful about the type of book or genre we store in each room. For instance in my room should not be school books, or young adult readers, instead inspirational books, devotions, or fiction I am reading. So for us, we have broken things up like that.

She also mentions the KISS acronym in many instances : Keep It Super Simple – and I love that reminder. I have tried to keep things simple throughout my house, but I realize this is more a journey than a destination. While I may get things simple today, I need to go back and check in a couple of months!

The part I really valued was her point that small places can be cozy and welcoming, much more than broad open, large homes. I agree. I love that my home feels lived in and small at times – but always warm, welcoming and cozy!

Kathryn has many stories sprinkled throughout the book which other people have shared with her. These gave you a first person perspective in many more areas than just Kathryn would have been able to speak on.

This time through this book was a quick go through it, but I hope to pick a chapter a month and really dive into the concepts she offers and try to really apply them in the rooms in our home.

I would highly recommend this book if you are at all like me and are just not sure how to simplify, or you are just wanting to get more organized throughout the house!

Bio for Author Kathryn Bechen

Kathryn Bechen is an award-winning professional writer whose articles have appeared in popular national and regional magazines and newspapers. She specializes in lifestyle feature articles and has also published several organizing and decorating e-books. The lifestyle companies she founded, Organized with Ease and Kathryn Bechen Designs, have served clients worldwide. Kathryn has organized and decorated 13 personal small space residences together with her husband Steve, and they currently live in their favorite small space ever: a 1,200-square-foot high-rise apartment in beautiful San Diego, California. She blogs about timely lifestyle topics at www.KathrynBechenINK.com.

Here are a few questions Kathryn answered:

Q: What are your two best small space organizing tips?

A: 1. Keep your gadgets and appliances simple by buying only what you'll truly use.

2. Use all-white dishes and clear glassware to cut down on how many dish sets you buy. If a dish breaks, you can easily find a new similar white piece and not have to get a whole new set.

Q: How in the world can you create a "spa-like" experience in a teeny-tiny bathroom, especially if the kids' rubber duckies have taken up residence?

A: In a small home, especially if there is only one bathroom, the bathroom should ideally be totally free of clutter and toys. You can achieve that by giving each family member a plastic basket or tote to hold their toiletries and toys. Instead of being stored in the bathroom, each family member keeps their basket in their bedroom and carries it to and from the bathroom. They also keep their own towel and washcloth in their bedroom--hang it on a hook in the closet. Many of us used this M.O. in college. Assign time slots for each family member to bathe for 30=45 minutes daily each so there is no squabbling about sis taking too long in the bathroom. Set a timer if need be. Make it a family rule that each member will respect others' time in the bathroom and not interrupt so each family member feels they can have their private bathroom "spa time." And last but not least, each family member cleans up after themselves immediately after their bathroom time so it's clean for the next person. No whiskers in the sink and no pantyhose dripping on the bathroom rod!

Q: What's your best organizing tip for kids sharing a bedroom?

A: Just like a home office shared by mates, kids should each have their own side that's personalized to them. Or at least their own bed if using bunk beds, for instance. I think each child should have their own desk for school studies as well, and their own dresser and side of the closet.

Q: What free download do you have today for our readers/listeners so they can get started right away in organizing their small space home?

A: Go to www.SmallSpaceOrganizing.com and sign up to get the free article I wrote, Small Space Savvy in a Big Stuff World. There's also another free home organizing and decorating article there as a bonus.

NOTE: I was provided a copy of this book at no cost, in exchange for an honest review by Revell Publishers.

First Things First

2012-01-15T13:18:00.001-06:00

It feels like the world around me has determined the word of the year to be First. Maybe it is a new year thing, but this year I seem to be hearing it from all sides.

Yesterday on the Coconut Hut Radio show (and last week too) the theme was First. In church, Nathan is preaching about making God first in our lives in all areas and how that would change our year and life. In Bible study, as I work through James, Beth is talking about this same theme.

Maybe God is just doing this for me. Or, maybe it is more than just for me.

But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given unto you. Matthew 6:33

Great verse. So often taken out of context. In Bible Drill we are memorizing this verse from Matthew as well

If you believe, you will receive

whatever you ask for in prayer

Matthew 21:22

It seems if we ask we will get it. Sounds wonderful, but so not in the real world.

In context though, these are great promises, great truths to cling to on a yucky day. If we seek His kingdom first, everything will be given to us. More money, more stuff? No. Peace, glory, goodness, eternal life. It may not look pretty here, but we will be able to get through whatever comes our way, and we will have more rewards and riches in our Eternal Life – in Heaven!

So hearing this everywhere I am reminded again how we compromise in so many ways. Do we make God our first priority? Do we place his agenda for the day before our own? Do we even think about him before we get our day going? I have to admit that I cannot say yes to all of those, every day. Every day I wake up and sometimes I think of him first, sometimes I think of me first, and sometimes I think of my to-do list first.

I am finding though, when I wake up and pray for my day, for his will to lead my choices, my day goes better. When I spend time in his word before the kids get up, or even with them at the table reading themselves, things go much better. If we spend time as a family reading some devotional (our recent favorite is 101 Bible Adventure Stories), my day goes better.

Bad news still comes. Accidents still happen. But it seems I am much more equipped to handle them. Days that I spend that time in the morning in His word, are days that I yell less, get angry infrequently, and that I seek his comfort and peace throughout my day.

First things first. It does not always look the same every day. Some days I do not get into The Word until the afternoon, but if I start the day covered in prayer it still flows so much better. If I ask him to sort through my to-do list and to let the unnecessary fall away, it seems to happen.

I want to be able to answer Pastor Nathan’s question of “Did you make your pursuit of God a priority in 2012?” with a resounding Yes. Will I fail some days? Yes, unfortunately, probably many. I am not perfect, and life happens. But as I try to establish healthy habits, a somewhat consistent routine, I find that I am setting myself up for success far more than flying by the seat of my pants, does!

First things First. If He is first, things will not be all lovely, pretty and wonderful, but things will be better, manageable and right.

Book Review : Chasing the Mona Lisa

2012-01-15T07:23:00.000-06:00

It is no secret I love all kinds of books. Through reviewing books for a number of publishers I am so blessed to be able to read many more varieties of books that I ever would have other wise.

I love when a book can entertain and also teach, all at the same time. I have really enjoyed some historical fiction I have read recently.

Chasing Mona Lisa

This book, Chasing the Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey, was one of those books. I loved how this book told an interesting story while illustrating the possession of Art during WWII. I knew that Hitler acquired many pieces of art, but I had not idea how he went about it.

I enjoyed the characters that take center stage, the Swiss OSS agents have a budding romance that grows through their adventures. The other characters I enjoyed following along with were Rousseau and Colette, one fighting for the resistance and the other working in the Art world at the Louvre.

This story was very interesting to follow, some great action, a bit of espionage and a few twists and turns, all sprinkled with a little romance.

This is the first book I have read by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey, but I am certain it will not be my last!

I strongly recommend this book if you have any interest in WWII times, France, or simply enjoy historical fiction! Check out the video below and I am sure you will want to grab a copy of this book and read it for yourself!

There is even a discussion guide HERE!

I hope you check out this fun book!

NOTE: I did receive a copy of Chasing the Mona Lisa, at no cost, in exchange for and honest review from Baker Publishing Group.

Almost There!

2012-01-14T11:22:00.001-06:00

I am about to wrap up my 2 week fast of no sugar. I knew it was going to be a challenge, but I had no idea.

For instance, did you know sugar is in just about every salad dressing?

And Ketchup? Crackers? Almost all bread? Every yogurt I could find?

When this started, I had severe headaches the first day. The next few days I thought about sugar ALL day, when I say all day, I mean the thought was in my head every few minutes, if not more. I could not think of anything but eating something with sugar.

A few days into it, I went to Whole Foods and stocked up – and this made my fast so much easier!! I bought Stevia to put in coffee, tea, whatever. I also got some amazing peanut butter that is so super healthy. Not cheap, but I think may be our new go-to peanut butter. It is loaded with flax seed, peanuts, agave nectar, and that is about it. No sugar and instead full of super brain food stuff (flax seed).

At this point, I am ready to have some sugar. I want a few things that I just plain WANT.

But this brings me to the BIG question! Why do we feel like we can have whatever we want to eat? Let me clarify. I know R rated movies are bad, the language is horrible, the nudity or partial is unacceptable, and the violence is over the top. So we stopped watrching R rated movies. Yes, this stinks when a great movie (looks that way anyway) comes out and we see it is R. Oh well. We skip it. {I did make an exception for the King’s Speech, but the only exception in a LONG time). Anyway…

We know this stuff is bad, so we avoid it. We know smoking is bad. We avoid it. And yet, I know sugar is bad. It feed cancer in your body. It stops the white blood cells from doing their job (i.e. keeping you healthy) and yet – we jump head first into a life of sugar addiction. This is one of the few area where we do not tell ourselves no. We seem to think we are doing everything else okay, I deserve to eat what I want. But what I want is based on what my body has become addicted to. Check out Healthy Familes for God – read From All Natural to Class A Drug for some crazy mind-blowing info.

I am not advocating a life of no sugar, but I want to know what I am eating and the consequences it will have on my body. If we ignorant of what is going on we have no way of doing something about it – and this is not good. Ignorance is not bliss!!

We start the day with it (unless you are an eggs and bacon eater, but watch out for what you put on toast…..) we include it is our drinks (juice, sweet tea, soda, etc) we eat it at lunch (think : peanut butter and jelly) and then if not in our dinner (but again, condiments are loaded) we end the day indulging in some ice cream, cake, or generally something sweet.

Now, stay with me. I will repeat, I am certainly not advocating a life without sugar. While this 2 week fast has been okay, I see the light at the end of the tunnel and I want to get there. I want to be able to have some things that, unfortunately, contain sugar. But, I think I want to stay off the Sugar-Addiction bandwagon. I want to be aware of what I am letting my kids consume. Because if I know it is bad for me, think what it is doing to their little bodies! They need much more in t he category of nutrition that we do, and that sugar is replacing some much needed nutrients. I do not want to raise 4 kids to grow up to be the sugar addict that I was.

Will this cost more? Take more time? Be hard? Yes, yes and yes. It will. Let’s be honest, healthy snacks take prep time, they do not come in a fun box you open ad serve. It is more to buy things like healthy peanut butter and sugar free jelly. But think about all those DR. bills. If I avoid a co-pay I am saving $25 and that can buy a lot of even healthy peanut butter!

So for me this is my plan for 2012 & food:

1. No Candy in the house – if any, just the best and very little – otherwise NONE.

2. Peanut Butter – mostly, if not all, the good stuff

3. Have more hummus, veggies and other good stuff for sandwiches

4. Drink more smoothies with real (unsweetened) fruit

5. Make granola every other week (enough to last); cut up veggies for snacks each week

6. Make jelly lower in sugar (find a recipe to do this) – only eat homemade jelly

7. Make cookies that are healthier (see Healthy Families for God)

8. Make sweet tea with honey instead of sugar – drink less often; drink more water

9. Be aware of the sugar we do eat (knowing is half the battle)

10. Have dessert on celebrate days only – and other snacks other nights (nuts, popcorn, fruit, etc)

I know this is not what will work in every home, and I am not saying it should. But we need to be advocates for our children and not just allowing them the candy they want because it is easier to say yes than no. We can all attest that the more candy and junk they eat the more cavities and hyper-activity. All is bad. If we cut out candy almost all together, they would still be great, happy, healthy kids. They would learn to deal with it. It is possible.

There are so many options out there today, and this is a blessing. It is possible to be healthier, it just takes work.

Friends & Fun

2012-01-12T21:43:00.001-06:00

What a great day we had with sweet friends!!

Our friends jumped in the car this morning about 8:30 and headed out. 3 kids, 5 year old Layla, 3 year old Solei and 8 month old Sawyer. I did not get enough pictures, but we had tons of fun!

We played with the doll house & construction set inside by the warm fire! We had some yummy tea.

Here is the results of his creation – trust me, this was very hard to do with lots of practice !!

Then we went out to see Clarabell and offered some yummy mustard greens (happy cow = lots of time petting her). Next was lunch.

Then the kids bundled up and walked Polly - braver than me, it was cold out!

When they got back, more tea and some snacks.

I tried to offer cookies, but they turned black in the 450 degree oven. (not sure how it got to that temp!)

We watched a fun movie this afternoon for some down time and then had a great supper! I think all the kids thought it was pretty good, and when you please 6 kids I think you are doing pretty well!

So here are the pics of our time today, mostly just J with a bundle of girls – fun fun!

(J was loving all these little girls, the faces were just for the camera)

Poor P is under this pile of lots of children – laughing all the while!!

fun was had by all!!

Sugar-less Eating

2012-01-10T20:07:00.001-06:00

Well, we are a week (plus a few days) into the sugar free living. So far, this week has been much better than last. I still would love to have some sugar, but I am no longer craving it.

So a few successes we have had, for dessert tonight I made a frozen treat that we all enjoyed. I used frozen bananas, almond milk, ice, natural (sugar free) peanut butter, and some stevia chocolate flavoring. It was really yummy!

On Saturday night I whipped up Blender waffles from Passionate Homemaking. I was really not sure what expect with these, but it was worth a try for me. I also and not the one who makes waffles, so the recipe was new and the use of the waffle iron was new. The kids loved them, and everyone requested seconds. We had maple syrup on them, so we still avoided all processed sugar.

On Monday we went to watch some football game at our sweet friends’ house and I was not sure what to bring. I knew I wanted to bring something Robert and I could eat, so after much debate, I decided on Granola. I used my favorite recipe and make a bowl to take with me. It looed like many of my friends really liked it. There are many of my friends trying to eat healthy even if they are not cutting out the sugar – so it was great to bring that along. (My granola recipe is below)

I started this plan with a goal of going sugar free for 2 weeks and hoping to make it 4. I have found the secret for success for me is having some good items in the fridge. Hummus and tortilla chips is a life saver when all the crackers have sugar. And oil and vinegar on the salad will do when EVERY bottle of dressing has sugar. (well except for the Blue Cheese which I would not eat)

My friend Jennifer dragged me to whole foods last week to get some stevia and I also bought some wonderful peanut butter and that stevia flavoring. I cannot wait to get back up there for a few more things, but until then I think we are finding this sugar-free living not so bad.

Granola

Ingredients:

1 T vanilla

1 tsp almond

8 cups oats

2 cups puffed rice

1.5 cups sunflower seeds

1 cup flax seed ground up

1 cup oat bran

1 cup pecans chopped

1 cup craisins (optional, I left these out this time, as they have sugar)

1 cup raisins

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/4 cup maple syrup

3/4 cup honey

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup coconut oil

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1.Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment or aluminum foil.

2.Combine the oats, wheat germ, oat bran, sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, and walnuts in a large bowl. Stir together the salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then pour over the dry ingredients, and stir to coat. Spread the mixture out evenly on the baking sheets.

3.Bake in the preheated oven until crispy and toasted, about 20 minutes. Stir once halfway through. Cool, then stir in the raisins or cranberries before storing in an airtight container.

Book Review : The Shadow of your Smile

2012-01-09T05:35:00.000-06:00

I started this book on a lazy day here (those are few and far between) and I finished it the next day. This was a delightful and inspiring story.

The Shadow of Your Smile (Deep Haven)

In The Shadow Of Your Smile, the main character Noelle Hueston and her husband are strangers living in the same home. After so many years of this life, Noelle is finally ready to face the unavoidable divorce in her future. However, all those options change when she has an accident, hits her head on the ice and forgets the past 25 years. When she wakes up she thinks she is still a college student and she is wondering who the stranger in her room is, and where her parents are.

As she tried to figure out just who she was, she gets a chance few of us ever get, a chance to start over without any of the baggage of her past. While she is trying to figure it all out, she becomes a different woman, one who is not as hurt and damaged as the one who fell weeks earlier on the ice.

To say I enjoyed this book is to put it mildly. I thoroughly enjoyed so many of the other characters as well. Noelle and Eli have their owns sons, and daughter – then there is their daughter’s best friends’ family. I love how these different characters, in this small town, are all intertwined. I loved the story line involving the teenage children and how this situation with Noelle affected them all.

I was immediately drawn into this story and was reluctant to stop reading. I thought there were many things you could take away from this charming story and apply in your own life. I would highly, highly recommend this book. While this is a fiction/romance story it is a story that will encourage you and inspire you, it is a story that has the potential to help you see your own marriage in a different light.

NOTE: I was able to download an electronic copy of this book, at no cost, in exchange for an honest review, by Litfuse.

To read what other reviewers have to say see the schedule for the Blog Tour HERE.

About the book: The Shadow of Your Smile

A beautiful blanket of snow may cover the quaint town of Deep Haven each winter, but it can’t quite hide the wreckage of Noelle and Eli Hueston’s marriage.

After twenty-five years, they’re contemplating divorce . . . just as soon as their youngest son graduates from high school. But then an accident erases part of Noelle's memory. Though her other injuries are minor, she doesn’t remember Eli, their children, or the tragedy that has ripped their family apart. What’s more, Noelle is shocked that her life has turned out nothing like she dreamed it would. As she tries to regain her memory and slowly steps into her role as a wife and mother, Eli helps her readjust to daily life with sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-heartwarming results. But can she fall in love again with a man she can’t remember?

Will their secrets destroy them . . . or has erasing the past given them a chance for a future? Read the story behind the story here: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/books/the-shadow-of-your-smile.

About Susan: Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at:www.susanmaywarren.com.

Book review : The Keeper (& Contest)

2012-01-08T06:37:00.000-06:00

I am not sure if it was the topic of bees (we are hoping to get some this year) that endeared this book to me, or the Amish characters, or the simple life they lead. Either way, I really enjoyed this sweet story!

Keeper, The (Stoney Ridge Seasons)

The Keeper written by one of my favorite Amish authors Suzanne Woods Fisher, is simply a delightful read! I loved the characters in this story, Julia is the eldest daughter of an ailing father, who is caring for him and her sisters and brother. She is due to marry within the year, that is until the Bee Man arrives.

I did love the Bee Man, even though he caused the wedding to be postponed, and stirred up some other trouble along the way. The Bee Man is his own man, Roman, he does not really answer to anyone, and when things get tough he hits the road with his Bees.

There were many aspects to this story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading! Romance blooms when not expected, choices must be made rather than avoided, and people will get hurt.

Suzanne does an amazing job drawing you into this wonderful family and you will fret for them at times and celebrate with them at other times. She has such a feel for the Amish culture, their simple lives and their joy in everything.

I highly recommend this book, but honestly I highly recommend anything that Suzanne Woods Fisher writes! I have enjoyed several of her books now and would jump at the chance to read any others by her!

Check out the trailer for the book:

NOTE : I received a copy of The Keeper, at no cost, in exchange for an honest review, by Revell Publishers.

Suzanne is hosting a "honey of a giveaway"during the blog tour for The Keeper! During 1/3-1/17 you can enter to win an iPad2 from Suzanne and connect with her on January 17th at The Keeper Facebook Party!

During the giveaway one Grand Prize winner will receive a Prize Pack valued at $600:

A brand new 16 KB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
A $25 gift certificate to iTunes
A copy of The Keeper

But wait there's more! Just click one of the icons below to enter, then on 1/17 join Suzanne for The Keeper Facebook Party! During the party Suzanne will announce the winner of the "Honey" of an iPad Giveaway and host a fun book chat and give away some fun "honey" inspired prizes - It'll be 'sweet"!

RSVP early and tell your friends!

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 17th!

What’s cookin?

2012-01-07T19:13:00.001-06:00

It seems my stove or oven are always on.

As I am not eating sugar right now, I guess I am coping with comfort food. Today I roasted 2 chickens (we hatched, raised, butchered & plucked – wow!! I am still shocked), cooked Beef bones for soup (see recipe below), and made beef & barley stew.

I have some more beef in the fridge that will be goulash tomorrow – which I cannot wait for!

But let me tell you, if you are into making your own stuff, you NEED to trust me and try making beef broth with soup bones. I received these last winter when we bought and “processed” a cow. I had no idea what to do, so I turned to the wonderful world wide web! I found out that with some time you can make the most amazing broth!!

So here is what I do….

Homemade Beef Broth

thaw your bones (if you need to)

put them in a roasting pan for 45 minutes at 375 degrees.

After 45 min put some onion, celery, carrots – whatever – in with it and roast another 45 min.

Then dump everything in a pot and cover with water, I usually cover about 2-3 inches above bones.

Simmer for about 2 hours – with lid off a bit to steam.

Next, strain the stuff out from the broth. Then if you can, let sit overnight in your fridge. (If you let it sit overnight the flavors develop more and then you can skim the fat off in the morning.)

This will result in super healthy homemade, low sodium beef broth. And the Beef and Barley stew it goes into will knock your socks off!! As will whatever you make.

I do think you can get soup bones from the grocery store – if you cannot find them ask the butcher – I suspect they are cheap. They are worth every minute you spend doing this! But know that it takes hours to get great broth – do not rush it. Just plan to be in the house and doing other stuff!

Enjoy!

Book Review : 101 Bible Adventures

2012-01-07T15:43:00.001-06:00

With 3 growing boys in the house there is never a lack of adventure or energy! We love books that share that same sense of adventure. We also love reading our Bibles and most books that go along with or support the Bible.

101 Bible Adventures: The Ultimate Quest for Truth!

Recently I was given the opportunity to review 101 Bible Adventures – the Ultimate Quest for Truth, by Tyndale House. The boys and I agree that this is a great Bible Story book. It goes beyond the children’s Bible story books that the younger kids have. This is a great book for a child who enjoys reading and can read well on their own. This would be a great tool for daily devotion time for a boy or girl to read on their own, they could then discuss with mom or dad, or even journal a few thoughts after each devotion.

The author Carolyn Larson has compiled the top 101 stories from the Bible, using the New Living Translation to tell these stories in a captivating way that will demonstrate the adventures throughout the Bible, as well as teach character building lessons. With each story, she begins the passage with an overview to give an idea of what the story is about. And at the end, there is a “Now What?” section where Mrs. Larson has provided a thought provoking paragraph for the reader to ponder. (this would be a great section to use to jump start your reader to journal about what they read)

If you have a strong reader in your house between ages 8 and 12 I think this book would be a great tool to have.

Note : I received this book at no cost, in exchange for an honest review, from Tyndale House Publishers.

Book Review : That’s My Girl

2012-01-04T13:53:00.001-06:00

My latest book to read has been That’s My Girl by Rick Johnson. Rick is the founder of Better Dads and is very successful speaker on topics relating to parenting and marriage. Check out his blog at Better Dads to find out more about him and his ministry.

That's My Girl

This is a book written for Dads, to help them navigate the often confusing journey of parenting a little girl. Rick is a father of a daughter himself and shares a great deal of insight into his own parenting style with his daughter and many stories about this lives together.

I enjoyed how Rick began the book by giving a more scientific explanation about the make-up of girls. While I have read some of this before, as you are raising them you can forget what is making them tick. I enjoyed an overview of the chemical effects going on in our little girl’s minds and bodies.

Next, Rick goes into the impact and importance of Mom and Dad and how they need to relate to each other and to their daughter. I found everything he said to be true in my own upbringing, making me realize how important those things are with my own daughter.

I really liked the chapter where Rick discussed Bonding with your Daughter. He talked about healthy affection and how if Dad is providing the affection our daughters need, they are less likely to look for that affection from other boys. My favorite point, however, was when he was talking about making memories with your daughter. Do the same thing every year for her birthday, or call every Valentines day, etc; simply something that is always the same for them to look forward to or count on. These little things will become very important to our daughter as she grows up and the rest of the world seems against her and unpredictable.

Rick is very transparent in this book about his relationship with his daughter, which was anything but perfect. Through his personals stories you can see the reality that each daughter is different. While all these points and ideas are good, it is important for us to know our own daughter so that we can be the parent she needs us to be.

I am clearly not a dad, and yet enjoyed this book thoroughly. I thought many of Rick’s points were just as valuable to a mom as a dad. However, I am asking my husband to read this book in the coming weeks so we can talk about it. And I hope that he will read it again in a few years to remind himself of what he learned.

This is a great book for dads. A great tool to have in the toolbox as your daughter gets older and more “complicated.” I think every parent would benefit from reading this book, and I look forward to reading Rick’s other book That’s My Son, in the future (as we have a few of them too!).

NOTE: I received this book at no cost, in exchange for an honest review by Revell Publishing.