Praises of a Wife and Mommy

About the Book:
Another VeggieTales classic with Bob and Larry, Love Your Neighbor helps children discover the joy of loving and being a good neighbor. Another VeggieTales classic with Bob and Larry, Love Your Neighbor helps children discover the joy of loving and being a good neighbor. Reformatted into the popular 8x8 softcover edition, Love Your Neighbor is sure to be a young reader favorite!
A Lesson in Loving Your Neighbor
When the boy with the pot from Jibberty Lot helps out the cucumber with the shoe from Flibber-o-loo, their friends learn a lesson in loving their neighbors.
And just like the boy from Jibberty Lot, kids will discover the joy of loving others and being a good friend.

My Review:
Zondervan does it again with another adorable VeggieTales book with a great moral and biblical message.  Some days as parents we do not set a very good example of loving our neighbors.  I challenge you as a parent to set the bar high and go be a good example of showing Christ's love. 

My kids…

Why not take the opportunity to freeze some water balloons with this constant Polar Vortex!!

We first put a couple drops of food coloring in each balloon and filled it with water.  Then we set them outside for a few hours.  

We have done this in the past and had fun watching the sun hit the pretty ice sculptors.  Check that post out here!

This time we did not go outside to play... the windchill is to bitter.  


This time we watched the reaction between ice and salt.  They were eager and ready to watch the fun!

The ice melts when salt is put on it.   My children had fun pouring salt on and watching it create holes in the ice. 
This is a great experiment that allows for fun creative responses.  

We took it a step further.  Once the salt made holes we put some finger lights in the ice to create a whole new exciting topic to discuss.  

Pastor Anthony at Riverside foursquare church. Talks about one verse in Luke 24 that asks a very tough question. God is full of promise.

www.riversidefoursquare.org
Pastor Anthony at Riverside foursquare church,. Talks about Jesus' trial and how we are like Pilate in more ways than we might be willing to admit.

Description of Book:A Lesson in Being Selfless
King George learns that being selfish doesn’t pay. Taking things from others doesn’t make him happy. So King George decides to give all his duckies away!
Just like king George, kids will learn that sharing with others is a true lesson in love.

My Review: I was given a copy of this book to conduct a review.  I was not paid for this review and all opinions are 100% mine.
I am a huge fan of books that will teach a moral lesson that aligns with my faith.  Loving others is our greatest commandment and this book teaches it.  
My kids seemed to love this book and could relate to the duckies since they have a couple themselves.  My kids also did clean there rooms out before Christmas to donate some of their toys and were able to make that connection in the story.  
This book also includes Veggietale stickers and my kids have enjoyed using them in their artwork.  
Pick up your copy today for only 4.99 from Zondervan.  

Thank you Lakeshore Learning for sending me this cash register to review.  All opinions are 100% mine and I was not paid for this review.
About the cash register:  Reinforce real-world math skills...with a cash register that really works! The built-in calculator and digital display let kids add, subtract, multiply and divide as they ring up purchases! The cash drawer even pops open so children can figure out the correct change! 10 1/2" cash register has a large, solar-powered digital display; includes a “credit card” and play money.  This item is sold for $34.99.  
Imagination play is one of the best types of play and it is one area I am always encouraging my children in.   With technology everywhere children are starting to hop on board and ask for the Ipad or tablet before playing with their room full of toys.  
My kids have loved this cash register from Lakeshore Learning!  They have liked it so much that I have had to enforce a time limits and turn taking because of some arguing.…

Do you have a child who got a rainbow loom for Christmas so you have bracelets all over the place?   I had so many bracelets so we decided to turn some bracelets into key chains.  

You can find a bulk order of key chains on Amazon or Ebay at affordable prices.  

So have fun turning your bracelets into key chains.

Pastor Anthony at Riverside foursquare church in LeClaire IA. Talks about what happened at Camp and how we shouldn't wait until the next event to be filled up.

Currently we are at winter camp for teens where my husband is speaking.  He does such a good job with each and every message he prepares.  Last summer after we moved and transitioned into a new church and church family my husband preached a message series titled, "10 Things I  Want for You."   It was a great series that I hope will continue to encourage others as the messages did through this quick and easy read.  
I am so very proud of my husband!  He is a great and hard worker.  
The Amazon Kindle download is very affordable!  Go get your copy today:  

About the Movie: Being a mother is the toughest job in the world... Period. Now imagine... you are young, homeless, and without a family to lean on for support. That’s exactly what happened to Agnes “Apple” Baily. Based on a true story, Ronald Krauss’ new film “Gimme Shelter,” stars Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical) as 16-year-old Agnes “Apple” Baily, a teenager who sets out to find her biological father and is forced into the streets in a true journey of survival. Check out and share the 6 animated gifs to get an inside look at the heart warming tale of Agnes “Apple” Baily before the film hits theaters Friday January 24th, 2014. @GimmeShelter http://gimmeshelterthemovie.com/ http://facebook.com/gimmeshelter CAST: Vanessa Hudgens (Agnes "Apple" Bailey) James Earl Jones (Frank McCarthy) Rosario Dawson (June Bailey) Brendan Fraser (Tom Fitzpatrick) Gimme Shelter received 5 stars from the Dove Foundation, their highest rating! Kelly Rosati, VP, Community Outreach / FOCUS ON T…

Animals All Around is a nonfiction Level 2 I Can Read Made By God bind up. With photos and facts showing children the wonders of God’s creation, this collection includes four complete I Can Read titles with the addition of bonus fun and amazing facts about the creation they feature. All facts align with the Common Core Standards for informational reading for young readers.
Animals All Around Us The four animal books include:  Forest Friends
Our Feathered Friends
Cats, Dogs, Hamsters, and Horses
Barnyard Critters Readers will enjoy 150 new fun facts about the animals in our world plus they will learn helpful tips for caring for their own pets’ specific needs, and the many uses and purposes that God’s creatures serve. Animals All Around is a great resource for developing readers who are ready for engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play. This title aligns with Common Core Standards for Reading: Literature and Informational Text.   Animals All Around released with hardcover for $9.9…

My son got more super heroes and blocks for Christmas and it is fascinating to watch my two children play with these simple toys.  The blocks come crashing down and then they build them up tall.   They play good vs. evil and seem to enjoy each other for the most part.  
What did your kids get for Christmas?

Purex Fels-Naptha is a powerful laundry bar that works overtime to remove greasy, oily stains, perspiration, and ring-around-the-collar. With over 100 years of removing America’s stains, you can rest assured that this laundry bar knows how to tackle your toughest stains. All you’ve got to do is rub the stain with a wet bar of Purex Fels-Naptha and let it sit for a few minutes. Then wash your clothes as you normally would and say farewell to tough stains for good.
My Review: I recieved a free sample of Fels-Naptha from the Purex Insiders team to conduct a review.  I was not paid for this review and all opinions expressed are my own. 
I was more excited to use this laundry bar as one of the ingredients in homemade laundry soup but I never made the time to try that recipe yet.  Instead I have used it as a laundry booster.  It's a great addition to the laundry soap and is good for anyone with sensitive skin.  
I love the versatility of Fels-Naptha since it can be used as a pre-treater, sta…

I'm not sure who had more fun her or me giggling at her!  Exploration is so important for kids at all ages.  I hope you encourage your kids to explore more each and every day.  

Okay parents lets get down to the nitty gritty about prom!   I do not have children in the teenage years yet, but one day I will and prom is one of those topics that goes along with modesty, sex, drinking, cost/expenses, and well honor when you ask them to be wise in their decision making.   Are you prepared to walk down that conversation with them?  Where do you stand on mini dresses VS. floor length prom dresses debate?  Short dresses have been a current trend over the last 3-4 years so can you find a short dress and it still be modest?  I pray God will prepare your heart and give you wisdom to discuss these issues and morals with your kids/teens and find a way to come to an agreement that will be pleasing in the sight of God  


Will you cave in and allow your daughter to pick a dress that reveals to much because she feel's pretty?  The world has been telling our kids for years to show more skin  and selling sex on every commercial, store, movie, book, radio, etc etc.  If you take…

Unless you've just recently been rescued from decades stranded on a deserted island, you've heard of someone buying, fixing and flipping single family homes. It has long been the staple method for the everyday person to make money in real estate. This is the primary real estate investing strategy...read more

Nope, I have not worked since December 19th!  December 20th school was cancelled due to ice and January 6th and 7th due to the FREEZING WEATHER!  

About Ozeri Instavac Food Storage Set: Instant vacuum freshness without pumps, motors or confusing parts. Simply press down on the center of the lid and air is forced out through the one-way valve. Requires minimal effort.Patented valve easily removes excess air so growth of naturally occurring bacteria is greatly reduced, and food stays fresh longer. Also features a release valve that prevents spills, splatters, and bursting when used in microwaves.Wave pattern on bottom of each container keeps cut fruit and vegetables elevated from water and juices.Handy date dial allows you to record when food was first stored and monitor days kept in the refrigerator.BPA-free, stain-resistant, shatter-proof, and as transparent as glass. Freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe. Satisfaction guaranteed.
My Review: Thank-you Monderna Housewares for sending me the Ozeri Instavac Food Storage Set to review.  I was not paid for this review and all opinions are 100% mine.  
When I am shopping for tupperware I…

One of the greatest joy's as a parent is to listen to your child pray.  I enjoy our nightly prayers together and one of the last nights before going back to school after Christmas break was extra special when my daughter said, "mom, I really want to make sure I go to Heaven so I am ready to pray that prayer."  You see in Children's church we had discussed salvation here and there and a week prior I had a very good conversation with my daughter about Heaven.  It was her who started asking me questions when she noticed I was reading the book, "Heaven is for Real"-  a great and fast read if you are looking.  
So as any 6  year old would pray she told Papa God that she was sorry for the naughty choices she makes, she ask him to make her a special house, and she was herself and real.  
There does not have to be a guided prayer that you say as long as it comes from your heart and you let God in and become the leader in your life each and every day.  
I pray right no…

Pastor Anthony at Riverside foursquare church in LeClaire IA. Talks about Genesis 11 and how unity in the right things is best.

I finally went to a different area of the river front instead of the one in front of my house.   It may be winter but there is a lot of wild life still around.  
I was amazed at these birds.  I saw ducks, geese, swans, seagulls, bald eagles, and a few other random ones just on a short drive.  
We had a nice little giggle as we watched several ducks put their head under water to most likely eat but it left their butt up in the air.  





I encourage you all to take a drive in your area and find something new that you never noticed before!  :) 

It is always a blessing to find easy printables to create easy and fun gifts.  This Christmas I was able to print these adorable M&M Christmas Poems from U Create Crafts.  Make sure to go there to get the free printable... which is also printable in color but I went with black and white since we were out of color ink....seems like a constant problem. 

This was the first year I have heard of this Christmas poem.  I made the M&M bags and handed them out to all the kids in my church.   They all enjoyed them and I had a few extra to be able to give them to my family when we went home for a visit.  

Nobel  Peace Prize Winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu and  beloved New York Times bestselling author/illustrator  Nancy Tillman have unveiled their collaborative work,  the new premium picture book, Let There Be Light.  With themes of love and light, Archbishop Tutu and  Tillman retell the biblical story of creation, vividly  portraying the wonder and beauty of God’s creation on  each of the seven days. 
Using Archbishop Tutu’s lyrical text from the Children  of God Storybook Bible and Tillman’s remarkable  illustrations, Let There Be Light brings the story of  creation to life for readers young and old. Children and  kids at heart will enjoy Archbishop Tutu’s warm and  joyful storytelling style as well as Tillman’s stunning  artwork. 
Let There Be Light will release on December 19, 2013  with a January 7, 2014 on-sale date. The 32-page full  color premium picture book will be available in a jacketed hardcover. 


About Archbishop Desmond Tutu: Archbishop Desmond Tutu  was awarded the Nobel…

Here are 5 reasons Nona Lim soups make the winter season better. Less Salt: Making soup  without preservatives allows Nona Lim to make great tasting soup with less recommended sodium intake per cup than many leading competitors. Home delivery: It’s never been easier to conveniently eat right when the best soups show up at your door or office in temperature controlled boxes. https://nonalim.com/products/No gluten, dairy or worries: Nona Lim has eliminated all common inflammatory ingredients making eating right easy to do - no matter your food sensitivities.Stocks made from scratch: Seriously, Nona Lim boils down vegetables for 3-4 hours so you can taste the difference.Veggies to the Max: One to two pounds of fresh local California veggies are cooked down into every 12 ounce pouch. It's a delicious way to make sure you are getting enough veggies.
With the new year comes the new resolutions and goals galore! With many weight loss and healthy eating goals being set, I hope you will cons…