Praises of a Wife and Mommy

Why is it that when I was younger I was too stubborn to dance the polka with you and tonight I look at this picture and say "I'm sorry mom, lets dance the night away."   Tonight as I was getting ready for our normal Bible story time I wanted to reflect and share a little bit about my mom with my kids.   13 years ago I was a scared 18 year old girl forced to say good bye to her dying mama.  I tried so hard to keep it simple for a 8 and 4 year old to understand tonight and yet I lost it and the tears came flooding.   In those tears I realized that even though my children have never met Grandma Bette they still have a hole in their heart.  It is safe to say that Selah and I shared some tears tonight which finally did end up in laughter and good snuggles.  You see I know that our days here on earth are numbered.  I know we all face our struggles and we all have the reality of death but friends don't be defeated in those thoughts.   If their is one thing I have learned th…

Book Description:
Buh-bye, bad hair days! This complete guide to care, cuts and cute styles makes it easy to have amazing hair each and every day of the week. With tons of tutorials for pretty ponies, bold braids and easy updos, you’ll go from school to sports to sleepovers with your loveliest-ever locks. Plus, get the answers to your trickiest tress troubles: How do you fix frizz once and for all? What’s the best way to get tousled curls or an awesome blowout? What are the secrets to growing out your hair…fast? All these answers (and more) inside this girly guide filled with tried 'n’ true tips and techniques. So no matter what your strand-styling skill level is now, you’ll soon be the girl who’s showing her friends how to finesse a fishtail or do a double Dutch braid. And what’s more beautiful than that?  My Review: There are some great pieces of advice for hair in the book and lots of great pictures of styles.  However, I find most of the descriptions very hard to understand and cre…

Bible Description:
The Faith Builders Bible, NIrV uses the popularity of brick-building pieces to engage children with the Word of God. Includes 24 full-color pages of illustrations plus the complete New International Reader's Version (NIrV) of the Bible in a very readable font size.


My Review: I was extremely excited for this Bible to arrive.   If you read about my daughters 8th birthday party last month then you know all about the Lego Party. This month we had our trunk or treat at church so I kept the Lego theme going and was so thrilled to showcase the "Faith Builders Bible" in my trunk design.   It was front and center in the trunk as you can see in the picture on the right.  
I know kids have many different interests and creating a Bible that is already aligned with their interests is such an awesome thing!   This Bible is NIRV and includes several pictures that use Lego's to create the image... it's so cool!   I loved looking at all the pictures and one of my…

Book Description:
"Love surrounds you, beauty, too. Notice how God blesses you! Clap your hands, shout and sing: Thank you, Lord, for everything."

A comfortable and relaxing rhyme tells the story of God’s great blessings in this padded cover board book. P.J. Lyons’ engaging text and Tim Warnes’ playful illustrations remind readers how much they have to be thankful for.My Review: It can be easy now a days to forget to be thankful for the things we have.   We can go through our days so speedy with our checklist in our head that we often times forget to be thankful and appreciate the beauty around us that God has given us.   I enjoyed this rhyming story that reminds all of us that we can be thankful for the big and small things in life.   The pictures are simple with animals for characters.   I think kids often times are drawn to books with animals as the main characters so this book will be grabbed by your younger kids.  With the cute rhymes on each page and the inviting illustrations…

Everything is Awesome!!! 
I am a little bit proud that I created these homemade/recycled costumes!  It did take more time then I anticipated but I had the kids helping to paint them.   We even took 2nd place in the group category!   WOOT
We kept the Lego theme for our trunks for the trunk or treat portion!   I had so much fun with this one!  

We arrived at the beautiful botanical garden in Illinois on a nice sunny day.   We were dressed in our new pretty dresses and were excited about our "high tea" date.   
We soon poured our tea and added some sugar cubes and waited for our friends.   We ate some little desserts and got a little goofy with the photo booth.  
We also made some fun tissue paper flowers and then had to strike another pose for the camera.  

After that we went and toured the greenhouse and outside area.   It was beautiful!!!   The many different plants and flowers were stunning.  





Dear Selah,
I hope you find this letter one day when you are older and remember the fun day we had.   The tea cups were white with gold and red in them, you didn't like your tea very much and you added 3 sugar cubes.  I will remember your adorable star dress you wore and your cute pigtails and of course your fashion glasses.  I know you were adorable and the truth is I felt pretty as well with my new hair cut and cause you …

Love Cooking Company has set out with a mission to make baking a simple task. Partnered with some great names in the baking and entertainment industries, Love has crafted bakeware that helps you easily achieve the best-looking baked goods on the table, from filled cakes to bite-size desserts and more.

The PushPan is a 100% watertight and leak-proof cake pan with a patented silicone-lined removable base making it perfect for cheesecakes, pies and more! An alternative to a spring-form pan, you simply place the pan on something sturdy, press the sides down, and voila - the perfect cake! The PushPan also comes with a 25 year warranty 
The Mrs. Fields Cutie Cakes  pan creates 48 bite-size cakes when you need a small amount of something sweet. It's ideal for savory options, like mini corn dogs or potato pancakes. After you create your tiny treats, just pop the pan in the dishwasher. 


The Mrs. Fields Fill N Flip  is the easiest way to make a layered cake and create a surprise center that ev…

Here is Titus's pre K picture!   He might not be the biggest fan of school as he would rather spend his day with mom or dad but I know he does enjoy it.    He often comes home singing the songs he learns there.  

Titus, My heart has melted all over again.   You look so grown up in this picture and my heart flutters with excitement to think about what the future holds for you.   This year you have started to talk a lot more, play even more.   You really love playing super heroes, tablet, Lego's, and Turtles.  You ask to get piggy back rides almost every day which does make me thankful that you are petite at the moment.   You are a sweet boy who loves to spend time with mom or dad in fact you love to have one on one play time.  :) You make us laugh and keep us on our toes with your silliness.   WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH TITUS!    Love, Mom

Description:  My Give Thanks Bible brings beloved Bible stories such as Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath, and the birth of Jesus to life for beginning readers. The stories chosen for this padded cover board book show children how people in the Bible were thankful for God’s great blessings and remind us that we should be thankful for the blessings in our lives too.

My Review: This is a great first Bible for toddlers and preschoolers.   The stories they hit include: -How the World Began- Thank you God, for this wonderful world. -Adam and Eve- Thank you,God, for the special people in my life. -Noah's Ark- Thank you, God, for beautiful rainbows. -A Baby in a Basket- Thank you, God, for watching over me. -Moses and the Red Sea- Thank you, God, for helping me do things I never thought I could.  -David and the Giant- Thank you, God, for helping me be brave. - Wise King Solomon- Thank-you God, for teaching me right from wrong.  - In a Den of Lions- Thank you, God, for keeping me safe.  - Mary and the An…

It is too early in the flu season to have already taken both my daughter and son to the doctor but the fact of the matter is I did.  My daughter had strep throat and my son had croup.   I missed a lot of work but was so very thankful that I have a job that gives me time off for sick kids!    I also took my son to the chiropractor and feel without a doubt that the adjustment made the biggest difference in my son!   Shortly after leaving the Chiro my son's barky cough turned into more of a productive sound and his fever never came back!  I need to remember to try Chiro care before the doctor more often! 

every story whispers his name… It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne—everything—to rescue the one he loves. It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life! You see, the best thing about this Story is—it’s true. And at the center of the Story, there is a baby. The Child upon whom everything would depend.
All the stars and mountains and the oceans and galaxies and everything were nothing compared to how much God loved his children. He would move heaven and earth to be near them. Always. Whatever happened, whatever it cost him, he would always love them. And so it was that the wonderful love story began … —from The Story of God’s Love for You (originally published as The Jesus Storybook Bible) My Review: Sally Lloyd-Jones does it again but for the big kids (teens and above) and adults! I love her book, "Jesus Story Book B…

So it is only October and I have used 4 family sick days!   Last week my daughter ran a high fever which turned out to be strep.  
Then this week my son has missed every day of school due to Croup!   His energy level is super low and that cough sure is barky.    I ask that you all pray that my husband and I stay healthy!   I am blessed that I do have a job that supplies enough paid sick time  that I can stay home with them and not feel guilty.   Family will always come first for me... even when I do miss my students.  

Book Description:
One prayer can change everything, says bestselling author Tricia Goyer inPrayers That Changed History. Martin Luther. Sojourner Truth. Helen Keller. St. Patrick. We read their stories, and of other people like them, in history books and hear about the amazing things they did to change the world. But one part of the story is often left out: Each one of them wouldn’t have accomplished what they did without prayer. InPrayers That Changed History, the stories of twenty-five notable people are presented along with how prayer changed their lives and changed history. Following each historical example is a biblical story that ties to that person’s life and actions, as well as ways you can use the power of prayer in your life as well. Because God isn’t done changing the world yet, and he would love to use you to make history. Includes images of each historical figure.
My Review: This book was the perfect book to get you thinking about and self evaluating your prayer life.  As we co…

It was long over due to see Anthony's dad!   It has been over 3 years since we have last seen him.   He lives in New York which makes it hard to get off of work and travel.   
We also had my hubby's brother and girl friend and son come the same weekend.   It sure was nice to show them around town and have some good quality time together.  
It was fun to show Anthony's dad around as he had a job interview here and we are hoping he just might be moving near us!   We won't know anything so we are praying the right doors are opened or closed if it is not God's will.  :)   Pray that with us!   As it would be a blessing to have family in the area! 

Here is Anthony, Floyd, and Aadam-   FAMILY--- so easy to see it! I do have to say that my hubby sure is the cutest there!   Sorry Floyd and Adam if you are reading this but I really do love my hubby! 

GO SELAH GO!!!   Great job on your poster!  :) 
I am so proud of you and your work!   "Stop, Drop, and Roll" is key!   I was impressed before the award because I came home from work and you had your poster already completed!  I was beautiful!   

Guardian angels. Divine messengers. Fiery spirits. Winged cherubim. The realm where these beings live is invisible to us. Most of the time, so are the angels themselves. So how do we know they’re real? How can we be sure they’re there? And what do we really know about them? Angels: a 90-Day Devotional about God’s Messengers explores over one hundred Bible passages in which angels make an appearance. In addition, there are Q and As, myths busters, hymns, Bible story retellings, pop culture references, and trivia that help you sort fact from fiction. So spend the next ninety days really exploring the world of angels, and learn more about what is taking place all around you.
My Review:

Angels of course are real since the Bible talks about it but have I really studied Angels? This book really touched on many areas that I have never thought about so it was informational yet kept my attention for the most part.  

I personally like having the questions and answers portion.  This book will be in…

The fact is Halloween is 23 days away and if you are like me and doing another community event less days to that event!   I have my idea for a costume, we have ordered more Oriental trading items because candy is not needed at every place and is too expensive!   
Here in my town we have fun with the Witches Walk/Trunk or Treat with our families.   I have the privilege of helping with the planning and organization of the event.  This year thanks to Oriental Trading we have these two new games, Jack O' Lantern Disk Game, and the Monster Bean Bag Toss to add to all the fun on the levee. 
With the new games we needed some cool prizes to go along with them.  I picked out yo-yo's, notebooks, kazoos, and ball puzzles.    These monster yo-yo's are adorable to look at and seemed to work well.  
I am always looking for more doodle notebooks and these are just the right size.  Kids will enjoy the goofy eyes on these fun notebooks.    









I kept the monster theme and found these crazy lookin…

Ever wonder why they called him the “Good” Samaritan? Find out why in this level 2 I Can Read, written in the tradition of the popular Adventure Bible.
Jewish people and the Samaritans were enemies … they would never have considered helping one another. So what happens when a Jew is robbed, and left on the side of the road to die? Who stops to help? Read as Jesus tells a remarkable story about a man who serves his neighbor as God would want. Perfect for beginning readers ages 4-8, learning Bible stories on their own.
My Review: This is a great level 2 "I Can Read" book that is only $2.79 on Zondervan!  A level 2 "I Can Read' book means it is a "high interest story for developing readers" and "engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play for developing readers."    A huge THANK YOU to Zondervan for sending me this book for free in exchange for an honest review.  I was not paid for this review and all opinions are 100% mine.   The pictures…

Curl up together and experience the Bible in a fresh, new way. Young children will enjoy pointing to and naming objects on each page for early learning. Most important, they’ll discover favorite, age-appropriate Bible stories, with Scripture verses and short prayers that also hide God’s Word in young hearts.

My Review:
This board book is fantastic for toddlers.   I love all the bright pictures but my favorite feature is the labels on the pictures.  This book has Biblical truths and stories as well as words kids can start to learn for vocabulary.  

I also like how each page has a scripture as well as prayer and sentence or two for a short story.   Each one is short to keep the attention of your little one.   I would use this as a nightly story time and only do one story per night.  

This book would be a great first bible story for little ones under 3.  

Thanks Booklook for sending me a free copy in exchange for a review.   I was not paid for this review and all opinions are 100% mine.  

Based on the bestselling The Beginner’s Bible brand, The Beginner’s Bible: Kid-Sized Devotions is perfect for children 6 and under. The simple connections to scripture make the content relevant and understandable for young readers, while the colorful illustrations are sure to be a delight. Each of the 365 devotions has a theme to which the Scripture, story, and art relate. It’s the perfect starting point for children as they develop a stronger relationship with God, to cuddle-up with parents or enjoy at church or daycare.



My Review:
We sure have been big fans of The Beginner's Bible products this year!   This 365 day devotional is for six years old and younger.   The daily devotions are very short, only take a couple minutes to read!  So we have been pairing up one devotional to one story from one of the Beginners Bibles at night before bed. 

I have been allowing my 8 year old to read this devotional out loud to her brother on occasion too.  These short devotionals can be used as a g…