Category Archives: Family

What is the Next Right Thing?

13 Monday May 2019

Posted by in Family, Food for thought, Reviewed Books

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The next Right Thing

 

Weighty decisions are apart of life. And these days, I feel like one is waiting for me around every corner. I knew when I saw the title of author Emily P. Freeman’s new book The Next Right Thing, I needed to read it. I have the tendency to get caught up in the future, and the fallout I feel my decisions will have on life.  Freeman’s take on decision making is practicle, applicable, and very helpful. I highly recommend this book to anyone trying to pin down a right choice, a critical step, or making a life-changing decision.

There are a few chapters that were stand-outs for me in The Next Right Thing. Chapter 5, Look for the Arrows, was especially poignant. Freeman explains that sometimes, listening to your personal desires and those of your spouse can help you discern your next step. It isn’t always that easy, but our hearts often lean in the right direction before our minds do. I also loved Chapter 13, Don’t Rush Clarity, where Freeman points out that we should let go of our timeline, and our expectations of certainty.  Certainty of outcome is maybe the biggest roadblock for me personally with concern to decision making. Lastly, Freeman suggest finding co-listeners in Chapter 15. Co-listeners are trusted people in your life who are able to listen objectively that can be trusted and are a safe place. I love this idea so much. There is something to be said for wise counsel!

I requested The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman from the publisher because I was looking for some guidance in descision making. At this point in my life, I thought all of my big decisions were over and done. Not true! What school is right for my kids, should we move, are our careers the right choice, and is it time to move on from where we are? Those are just a few things keeping me up at night! I received an advanced copy of this book to read without the requirement to leave a positive review. I have not been compensated. All opinion are my own.

 

 

More Than Parenting Advice

10 Thursday May 2018

Posted by in Family, Food for thought, Reviewed Books

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The Life Giving Parent

I love the heart behind this new book by Clay and Sally Clarkson. The Life Giving Parent  is not a step by step instruction book full of the do’s and don’ts of raising children. It is a philosophy of parenting children based on eight key principles derived from scripture. Reading this book was like getting the best parenting counseling session from a Godly couple who successfully raised children who love the Lord.

I enjoyed the chapter on Cultivating Your Child’s Character the most. This chapter is about your child’s “inner person,” their identity, personality, and capability. Clay describes their identity as who they are in God’s eyes, their personality as what they are like by God’s design, and their capability as what they can do with God’s help. Influencing their inner person develops and forms their character. It is so important for our children to know they are loved, redeemed, and created for a purpose. I love how Clay and Sally make a point to remind us that we are the most important influence our children have! Our own lives, how we live and walk out the Christian faith, is the greatest opportunity we have to develop our children’s character.

If you are an expectant parent, or a parent of children who are already half-grown, this book is for you.  I love and appreciate the wisdom of Clay and Sally Clarkson! I requested an advanced copy of  The Life Giving Parent from Tyndale publishing. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions are my own.

My Pick for Mother’s Day

13 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by in Books I LOVE, Family, Reviewed Books

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Only Love Today

 

I absolutely love this book of daily readings from Rachel Macy Stafford, Only Love Today. Stafford is the author of Hands Free Mama and is perhaps the most in-touch voice I have heard lately in regards to life as a Mom and Wife. This book put simply is daily encouragement. Mother’s Day is coming, and this is the best gift you could give to any Mom.

To begin, this book is beautiful, which I realize isn’t essential….but it helps!! The title on the cover is like a giant sticky note gently reminding me to choose love. The book’s hard cover and bright colors invite me to pick it up and enjoy. Inside, you will find an undated daily reading. There are four sections to correspond with the four seasons. Each reading is short, most just a page. I literally can read each day in just a minute or two. There is no daily Bible scripture reading in these readings. Stafford references God in this book, but this book is not a daily devotional.

By far, my favorite thing about this book is the daily reminder to chill out! I am type A for sure, and I always have a to-do list running in the back of mind. I measure daily success by checkmarks, and while I accomplish a lot, I can leave a wake of hurry, stress, and anxiety behind me. Thank you Rachel Stafford for this wonderful book that is sure to encourage so many. It is clear that your heart and soul are in every page. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by BookLookBloggers. I was not required to give a positive review, all opinions are my own, and I have not been compensated. As a book blogger, I only choose books I want to read. I was so right on this choice! I am excited to gift this book to a few of my Mom friends.

Billy Graham Devotional for Kids!

02 Thursday Mar 2017

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hope

 

For awhile now I have been searching for a simple and user-friendly devotional to do with my kids in the morning before we start school each day. I love this new devotional for kids from Billy Graham! It is bright, sunny, and practical. It also gives a great entry point for children to begin a daily quiet time.

Hope for Each Day is a year-long devotional organized by month and day.  Each day includes a short memorable Bible Verses. The verses are mostly taken from the New King James, but also the Amplified Bible, the ESV, the Good News Translation, the International Children’s Bible, and other translations.  Following the verse is a short Bible story, lesson, or other story. These are just a few paragraphs long and would take no longer than three or four minutes to read.

The scripture for today, March 2, is “Lord, teach us to pray” take from the book of Luke 11:1.  This devotion is a challenge to pray and to do so daily, not just in times of trouble.  I love this book for its simple design and ease of use. It is appropriate for both boys and girls ages 5 to 10. Hope for Each Day would make a fantastic Easter basket addition, birthday, or baptism gift. I was going to gift my review copy, however I have decided to keep it because I want to use it with my two boys. I was given a review copy of this book by Booklookbloggers. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated.

Hello Dolly!

21 Tuesday Feb 2017

Posted by in A Dog Named Dolly Parton, Family, Virginia

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For years we have promised our two boys that they would have a puppy. A dog of their own to love. We put it off for so long because we weren’t ready. After studying, reading, and researching we landed on some kind of doodle. My son has reactive airways and we needed a non shedding dog. Accidentally, we stumbled upon a breeder in South Carolina who operates a bit differently. He has no rows of kennels filled with momma dogs. All of his momma dogs live with a different family, guardian homes. I love that.

dolly

Six and a half hours to South Carolina and back was required to retrieve our sweet golden doodle. She was a perfect angel up until we decided to eat lunch in the car. My husband stopped at a carefully selected BBQ joint in North Carolina. When he returned to the car with fries, sandwiches, and hushpuppies….our pup lost her mind! She clawed her way out of my arms and snatched the hushpuppy bag right out of my hand!

We selected this particular pup because her coat is wavy, she was one of the smallest in her litter, and because she is so stinking cute! She might be one of the most vocal puppies I have encountered. For that reason, and because I might be the biggest Dolly Parton fan alive….we named her Dolly! Dolly Parton when she is in trouble.  Hello Dolly! She definitely needs a rhinestone collar.

dolly-up-close

Helping Kids With Choices

15 Wednesday Feb 2017

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chooser

 

Your Magnificent Chooser is a new book that aims to help children understand the power within them to make choices. This book is written by John Ortberg author of All The Places to Go, and What is God’s Will For My Life. Both of these titles are for adults but also about decision-making. Ortberg is clearly aware of our struggles! I loved the idea of this book. If there is something I have said as a parent over and over again, it is “Make Good Choices!’

I really enjoyed this book for its fun approach to teaching about choices. It is colorful and written in rhyme which appeals to most kids. The illustrator did a nice job of making the “chooser” look happy and whimsical and not scary. The balloon like floating cloud represents the part of a person that makes choices. Perhaps Ortberg is alluding to the soul…which is a bit much for a child. I think the book is a good resource for parents with children from ages 4-7.  There are a few things that I personally found to be misses. First, the word chooser is a mouth full when you are trying to read the book aloud. In fact, Chooser and Choosing are used a combined 42 times!  I read Your Magnificent Chooser to my kids and I began to trip over the word. Secondly, the book is a little long for a young audience. It is 38 pages, with  one or two -four line stanzas on each page.

Overall, I really liked this book. The idea behind and the content is excellent. I would recommend this book to any parent who is trying to teach good decision-making. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher. I was not required to give a positive review.

Skinnytaste Fast and Slow, a Review

15 Tuesday Nov 2016

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skinny-taste

 

I am a long-time raving fan of Gina Homolka, the author and blogger of skinnytaste.com.  In a frantic search for dinner ideas a few years ago I stumbled upon her blog and new instantly I had hit the jackpot. I love Gina’s recipes for many reasons including their simplicity, flavors, and fresh takes on old favorites. If you aren’t familiar with Gina and skinnytaste.com, it’s time to visit her blog and be blown away by the endless dinner ideas and meal plans!

To say that I was excited to get my copy of skinny taste Fast and Slow,  would be the understatement of the year. First of all, this cookbook is beautiful. The pictures inside are lovely and definitely inspire me to cook everything in the book! Secondly, the cookbook is well organized, with sections devoted to healthy mornings, one-bowl meals, to meatless mains and so much more. Each recipe also has a key (just like her blog) labeling it quick, pressure cooker, slow cooker, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and/or freezer-friendly. Every recipe has nutrition information and well thought out instructions.

pasta-e-fagioli

Because I am long time fan, I have already tested and tried a few of the recipes in this skinnytate Fast and Slow. I have made Gina’s Avocado Toast, Lasagna Soup (ah-mazing), and One-Pot Pasta and Broccoli. Last night I made her Pasta e Fagioli.  I am embarrassed to admit that I love the Olive Garden for this particular soup. If I am there, Pasta e Fagioli is what I eat.  I love Gina’s take on this classic soup because it is light and healthy.

pasta-e-fagioli

It so happens I had company last night and I made the soup two ways. One of my guests has a disease that requires her to eat vegan with no animal fat or any fat of any kind.  You can find Gina’s recipe here. I made her version with one exception. I added my basil to the blender with the beans so my kids wouldn’t detect it and I wouldn’t have to chop it.  For my vegan friend, I cooked the onion and garlic in a little bit of water instead of oil and omitted the Parmesan cheese rind. (which by the way does something amazing to the soup. I love so many of Gina’s recipes.This one will become part of my regular dinner menus because my kids ate it with gusto and asked for seconds!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books. I was not obligated to give this book a positive review. However, in all honestly, I would have purchased this book if I had not received a review copy! It is a cookbook worth its shelf space.

Fantastic NEW Parenting Book!

24 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in Books I LOVE, Family, Reviewed Books, Uncategorized

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raising-an-original

 

I am a parenting book junkie. As my children grow and move from stage to stage, I am constantly looking for answers to help me navigate the new waters. It has been a long time since I have read such a helpful book. I have already recommended this book to many friends! In fact, there is currently a wait list to borrow my copy. My suggestion is to just buy your own copy…you will highlight as you read and you will want to keep this book!

There are many parenting books at your local bookstore. Raising an Original  is different because it looks at the make-up of your children. They are all so different and one parenting style isn’t going to cover it! In Part II of Raising an Original, author Julie Lyles Carr addresses common parenting pitfalls. My favorite chapter in this section was Carr’s treatment of fear-based parenting. I am often quick to helicopter to protect. I laughed as  I read this chapter because I find myself doing some of the very things she names.

The best part of Raising an Original is the 4-Style Personality Traits Assessment Tool included in Part III. Basically, Carr has included a DISC profile for your kids!! My husband and I sat down and took the assessment for both of our boys. The results were enlightening. I truly feel better equipped to handle the day to day obstacles in parenting my unique children!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher. I am not required to give this title a positive review and I have not been compensated in any way. I do whole-heartedly recommend this book for all the parents out there who need some fresh advice! This book does include Christian principals and scripture references.

The Big Pig Stampede

17 Thursday Sep 2015

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The Big Pig Stampede

High and low I have searched for something my two boys could read….that wasn’t full of crude humor, “potty talk,” or dark magic.  So much of what it is out for boys to read is terribly inappropriate. I wouldn’t let them watch it, let alone read it! My boys and I have been reading this book together every night, and they love it. There is plenty of silliness and grossness to captivate them, but there is also Bible story after Bible story embedded in this story of “the goat boy.”

In The Big Pig Stampede, a boy named Gideon who is affectionately nicknamed the goat boy, manages to be a witness to the miracles of Jesus we read about in the New Testament. He is unaware of their significance, but they seem to be greatly impacting his life. Gideon and his friend Bug have so many adventures in this book, from helping lower a sick many through a roof to seeing Jesus feed a multitude. Author Bob Hartman does such a great job of captivating my sons’ attention with his writing. Elementary age boys are a tough audience!  My two have asked questions, or been excited to hear a story they know well retold from a witness perspective.

I would say that this book is likely to please any boy, or girl for that matter, from age 6 to 10. We will be following the series and will be looking forward to the next book in the Goat Boy Chronicles! Thank you Bob Harman for writing something I can let my boys read! I was given a complimentary copy of this book to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I have not been compensated in any way. All opinions are my own.

What’s for Dinner?? Greek(ish) Night

30 Sunday Aug 2015

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IMG_1753

We are a family on a budget, so meal planning is important. If I have a plan, eating out is off the table…so to speak. haha! Greek(ish) night at my house is always a favorite..even for my boys. We have a rule in our house that says you must try a bite of everything. Greek night is a great way to invite the younger ones to sample new tastes without depriving yourself of a flavorful meal. Here is how we do it!

The Salad

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I used just what I had in the fridge. No olives…because only my husband eats them.

One Heart of Romaine chopped, Red Onion finely diced, 2 Plum tomatoes gutted and diced, Cucumber sliced, and Crumbled Feta.

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For the protein, I marinate chicken in a cilantro-lime marinade I purchase at the grocery and then cook in a non-stick skillet.

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I use a few tablespoons of olive oil to keep the chicken from sticking (ironically in a non-stick pan) and to brown nicely.  I cook the chicken through (to 165 degrees in the thickest part). I then removed the chicken from the pan and let it rest. To remove all the tasty bits from the pan, with the pan still on the heat, I add a few good tablespoons of white wine (or white cooking wine). Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan and then add a half a stick of butter and cook for another minute or two. Next, I slice the chicken and pour my pan sauce on top!

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With the salad and chicken, I serve:

Avocado

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Warmed Naan Bread

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and hummus

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You can make your own like my recipe here.  Or you can just buy some from the grocery like I do when I have a busy week.

I lay everything out and allow everyone to help themselves.

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Like I said, this is Greek (ISH) night. We have found that we like these things together. I dirty only one skillet to make this meal. I hope this has inspired a new weeknight meal for you and your hungry bunch!

The Grocery List

Heart of Romaine (I buy in packs of 3)

1 Seedless Cucumber

2 Plum Tomatoes

Crumbled Feta

Red Onion

2 Chicken Breasts

1 bottle of your favorite marinade

1/2 stick of butter

Olive oil

White Cooking Wine

Hummus

Naan Bread

1 avocado