Friday, May 31, 2013

"Limitless: Devotions for a Ridiculously Good Life" - Book Review

 I have to admit that I was fascinated about the life of Nick Vujicic and chose this book for that reason.  I was expecting autobiography, but pleasantly surprised to find this book is a devotional.  I'm not always a fan of devotional books, but this one is so different than the "normal" devotional that I couldn't stop reading it cover-to-cover when it arrived!

Each chapter of this devotional begins with a scripture about a life topic.  It then has a story that Nick Vujicic relates from his own life without arms and legs, to every person in every walk of life.  Instead, of finishing with a prayer at the end of a chapter, this devotional ended with sound advice to go forward in life.  Each chapter could stand alone if you wanted to pick a particular subject, or like myself, you could read this devotional from cover-to-cover!

Every chapter seemed like it was speaking directly to me.  As I read "Limitless", I had to keep looking at the cover to see if Nick Vujicic had grown arms and legs, because he seems so "normal" by his writing.  It seemed like he had literally gone through the same things that I've gone through.  I highly recommend this devotional to everyone, even if you don't generally care for devotionals, because Vujicic truly hits home to every  persons life and heart.  It will give you hope, no matter what you are going through!

I recieved this book from Waterbrook Press in exchange for an authentic review.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

MOPS Thank You Gifts

I'm sorry I haven't posted lately.  We have been in a crisis trying to find housing for a large family and having no success.  Well, I have gotten some crafting done, because things had to get done, so I thought I would share.

Sadly, our MOPS group has ended for the year, but it's a happy ending.  We had a ladies dinner together at a local restaurant and treated our MOPPETS volunteers for dinner.  I wanted to give each of my leaders and volunteers a special thank in addition, so I did some crafting.
 One of our last craft projects was making coasters from tiles, so we made extra sets for the ladies that helped us in MOPPETS.  I'll have to share that with you soon, but here's the card I made with some new stamps I got.
 We had two teens that helped with MOPPETS, so I bought a large bag of Reeses pieces and attached this tag to it.
 For my leaders that helped this year, I gave a huge bar of Hershey's and let them know that if I could measure their help in chocolate, I wouldn't find one big enough, but hoped this would be a start.
Finally, we had 7 ladies that completed the year with us (this was our first year) and I had made 7 burlap table squares for decorations at the beginning of the year, so I gave each of them one of them with this tag to remind them of the friendships we have formed.  You can see them HERE.

I'm definitely no card making expert, but I'm pleased with how they turned out.  Please let me know what you think.  I will be sharing with the blogs I love over in the right column.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The Winnowing Season Book Review

Again, Cindy Woodsmall delivers with a fabulous read!  I couldn't put this Amish fiction novel down.  In fact, "The Winnowing Season" which is the second book in the Amish Vines and Orchards series, is so good, that I am going out to get books one and three to get the rest of the story!

Rhoda Byler has special gifts that find her often in "trouble" with the Amish community.  She is working for the King Family Orchards, when a tragic tornado ruins the orchards, to the point of the family investing in new endeavors in a new state, Maine.

Jacob King is haunted by his past, but is madly in love with Rhoda.  His past seems to be a problem that takes him away from Rhoda when she really needs him.  His brother Samuel is the steady leader of the King Orchards, but often butts heads with Rhoda.  In their new settlement in Maine, Samuel realizes that he is madly in love Rhoda, too, but won't betray his brother.

Will the King brothers and Rhoda be able to stay faithful to God's leading, or will this new settlement bring them to ruins?  Can the brothers keep the family business together and stand behind Rhoda, whom they both love?

I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a good, clean Christian Novel.  In fact, I recommend the whole series to you.  I did receive this book in exchange for my review of this book, but all opinions are mine.  (Oh, and I get no compensation for recommending the whole series - that's just my own opinion!)

You can go HERE to rate my review.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Completed Baby Albums

I was a first born child, so my Mom spent many hours making a baby book for me.  Now, back then, they didn't take quite so many pictures, but my Mom had everything there, all the prices she paid for a layette (down to the price it cost to buy a nursing bra!), what games were played at my shower, my first Valentine's Day cards and even my first haircut!  My second brother had a few things in his baby book, and finally, there was the baby, which I'm not even sure there were any pictures of! 

Although I wasn't the victim  like my younger siblings (Ok - I just thought my parents loved me more! lol) and not getting much for baby books, I remember thinking that I would never do that to my children: deprive them of childhood memories. So with each additional child, I have set out to get their first year of life into an album.   

Now if I lost you, because you feel the pain of not having a baby album completed for your children, let me begin again!  I don't have anymore time than the next person, but I have made a commitment to get that one thing done, equally for all of my children!  My first four children each got their albums done right around 1 to 1 1/2 years of age.  I put together all the photos, stories and keepsakes in one album ending with their First Birthday.

For my fifth child, sad to say, I haven't been quite as faithful as in the past.  I am still trying to get her album completed and she is about to turn 3!  Shame on me, right?  Well, never fear, if I can keep chugging away at getting this album done, so can you!  In fact, this month, not only am I getting the baby album done for the two-year-old, but I also completed a Prom album for my 16-year-old!   What's my secret?  Plain and simple: priorities!  I set the time aside and I do it!  No excuses!

I thought I'd share with you one of the pages I recently completed.  This is one of my fancier ones, most are more simple!  To me, it's more important to just get my story into the baby album.  I love the pennant look (by cutting squares in half) along with making ribbons.  To make the ribbon edge, I used a Square Shape Maker turned at an angle.  You could also just cut them using a scissors.
I used the Border Maker System  to make the borders across the top.  I will make a list below of all the tools and supplies I used to make this layout.  Any purchase made through my website HERE help to pay for the extras in my household (and my baby albums), so I appreciate your business!
Here's what I used:

So in honor of National Scrapbook Day this month, get back to, start, and finish those baby albums!!  It's not too late to start, and better yet, it's definitely not too late to finish your baby albums!  Your children will thank you!

Please let me know what you think and visit those sites I like to share with on the right column of my blog!


Thursday, May 2, 2013

No More Perfect Moms Kindle Deal

 I wanted to let you know that the wonderful book I had the pleasure of reviewing and being on the launch team for, "No More Perfect Moms" is on sale for Kindle right now for only $1.99!  If you click on the picture link above, it should take you directly to the Kindle version to purchase.  Be sure before you check out that the price is only $1.99.  I don't know about you, but I definitely don't like to pay more the a couple of bucks for books, even my favorites.

To check out my review HERE, if you haven't read it yet.  I have to say this was one of my favorite books this last year!  I couldn't put it down, and I couldn't read it all, because I wanted to apply every bit of advice to my life, too!