The Girl's Still Got It Book Review

Thinking I have read this book of the Bible before and there wasn't anything else to get from it, reading this book changed my thoughts about the book of Ruth! I love reading a book that I do not want to put down and this was one of them.

The author took this amazing book of the Bible and wrote this  in a way that we women can totally relate to! So many times we feel like we can't relate to something that happend many years ago.  But I did not feel that way at all after reading this book.  I felt the total opposite.  Just like in the time of Ruth, God is still the same and the message is the same.  He can use me, just as He used Ruth.  The study questions in the back lead to more in depth thought of the book as well.  Loved it!!!
I would recommend this book to any woman.  It would be a great book to use for a woman's small group bible study as well!

 I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Just love Little Angels Bible Storybook (Roma Downey's Little Angels Series)

Being the mother of a three year old, I am on the lookout for stories of the Bible written in a manner in which she can understand.  When this book was available for review, I excitedly chose this to review as I knew it would be something my little girl would love.  And she did!

The book is written where a child as young as age 3 can undertand.  As we read, she asked questions and asked about what was in the illustrations.  At the end of each reading was a part reemphasizing what the child learned. I loved the prayers that went along with each story as well.  The stories are a great length for keeping children's attention but also full of description.

I would recommend this book for anyone with little ones who is wanting to teach them about the Bible!

I received this book in exchange for a review with Tyndale.

Destin Summer Vacation 2012

Every year since we have been married, Brady and I have gone on a summer vacation.  Our first anniversary we took a road trip north to Niagara Falls, Canada for a week and then came down the east coast on the way home.  Our second anniversary, we visited Brady's brother, Bobby, and his wife and kids in Sydney, Australia for a month! We had a blast for sure.... Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge and whale watching! Our third year of marriage we went to New York and visited all the famous sites there.... Statue of Liberty, Time Square, Empire State Building.  Our fourth year, we were moving so no vacation that year.  The following year, 2009, I was 8 months pregnant with Bree so no traveling that year.  Bree's first summer vacation we traveled to Myrtle Beach and she hated it! She didn't like the water or the waves, but liked the sand.... a little. Her second summer we went on a road trip to various spots in Colorado: Colorado Springs, Vail, and Silverthorne.  And this summer, 2012, we took a road trip to Destin, Florida for the first time.

On our way there, we stopped in New Orleans for the Fourth of July.  Fireworks were set off of two barges on the Mississippi River.  It was an amazing sight for sure.  We loved it! And of course beforehand, we had to stop and eat some beignets at Cafe Du Monde :)

Then on to our destination.....What a beautiful place!!! The beaches were different than those in Myrtle Beach.  The sand of the beaches of Destin was white and so very soft.  It felt so good between my toes. The water was emerald green and so very clear.  A week in Paradise :)  This trip was so very different than Bree's first trip to the beach. She was a beach bum this time.  She had to be bribed and dragged away from the beach every day.  Building sand castles with her Daddy, swimming back and forth from me to Daddy looking at the fish, splashing in the water on the shore, and being buried in the sand,  she had an amazing time.  A vacation we will always remember!!!!! :)

Building castles with daddy

Still smiling even when buried by the sand!

 

Greater by Steven Furtick

We all struggle with wanting more out of our lives at given points within our life. This book examines the day to day struggles that all people battle with that take place inside them because of how we are limited as humans. Greater takes those struggles and compares them with Biblical characters that went through the same types of everyday life of trying to reach a place in their lives where they were satisfied with their success. 

Furtick examines why people are in search of greatness, how to identify obstacles standing in their way, and practical techniques of reaching their potential.

Greater inspires everyone to live the life God intends.  It gets us uncomfortable about being comfortable in the way we go about life.  You will examine your effort and desires that you previously had and challenges you to begin a new life where you will claim the greatness God designed especially for you. 

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing group for this review.

8 Year Anniversary!!!!!

WOW! It is so hard to believe that 8 years ago Brady and I were standing before each other, our family, and our friends to express our love for each other and then we were off to Playa Del Carmen for a week on the beautiful beach....... Time passes so very fast and I wish there was a way to stop it!

Our anniversary, June 12, fell on a Tuesday and Brady had basketball camp.  So, Nana and Pop came down on Sunday to watch Bree so Brady and I could go out and celebrate.  We left the house about 9:45 so we could go out to eat at Old West Cafe for the first time to eat breakfast. And what a breakfast it was! The Gold Digger omelet with a side of hash browns and a lemon pancake..... YUMMY!!!!!

 

After our tummies were full, we went to do a little shopping at Old Navy, Target and a few other places.  Although a little early, we found Bree a few birthday presents! We went to the Movie Tavern to see Men in Black 3.  By that time it was about 6pm and we were hungry again.... So we finished our special day together at Texas Land and Cattle eating their Signature Sirloin.  We had not eaten there in a long time and it was well over due for sure! 

Our time together always passes by so fast as the years we have had together.  I look forward to years we have before us and am so excited to see what amazing things God has in store for us!

Bree's First Movies at a Theater

Being 3 in a few months, we thought we should start introducing Bree to movies in the theater! I was a little worried about her making through the movie and sitting there watching the whole thing.  Of course she loves Dora, Peppa Pig, Wow Wow Wubzy, and Bubble Guppies, but I knew this would be a different experience!
 
The past few weeks we have been taking Bree to Harkins Theater in Southlake for the summer movies.  Happy Feet 2 was her first experience in a movie theater.  She was so excited the whole way to the movies and kept talking about seeing the penguins.  She loved the theater and being able to play in the aisles.  When the movie started she wanted to know where the penguins were! The movie began with them singing and dancing and she was caught up in it all.  As the movie slowed down a little about 30 minutes into it, she began to cry and wanted to go home :(  We tried to talk to her but with no avail and had to end up leaving.  First attempt at a movie..... FAIL!!!

So yesterday we made our second attempt with Alvin and the Chipmunks, Shipwrecked! I popped some popcorn to take and took some of Bree's favorite snacks to see if that would help her stay there longer.  She wanted popcorn as soon as we got to the theater, but only ate a little.  As soon as she saw the Chipmunks, she was mesmerized! She made it through about 45 minutes and wanted to play with my phone, but while she had it she watched more of the movie than played with my phone.  To our surprise, Bree made it through the whole movie!! She loved it!!! Second attempt at a movie.... SUCCESS!!!! :)

Our next trip...... to watch Rio :)

Joy Dare

Brady and I began the Joy Dare at the beginning of June.  Each day there are 3 certain joys to look for in our lives and to make note of.  By next June we will have 1000 joys that we have recorded in our lives.  We both have had a great time doing this and it is opening our eyes even more to the joys that the Lord has placed in our lives. Here are a few:

Day 2:  Joys that are funny
               a) Bree looking at me after her bedtime prayer and saying " Is that right?
               b) Bree telling me to not go poop on the porch !

Day 5: Joys of Peace, Love, & Hope
              a) Quite time with the Father before Bree is awake
              b) When Bree crawls in my lap, hugs me and says "I love you Momma"
              c) Lifetime ahead of me with my soul mate

Day 10:  Joys at 8, at 12, at 2
              a)  Waking up to the alarm beginning our day together to
                    celebrate our anniversary
              b) Conversation in the car as we head to do a little shopping
                   after a yummy breakfast
              c) Being in the presence of my sweetheart

Day 13: Joys smelled
              a) Dinner cooking
              b)  Shampoo as I wash my hair
              c) Morning rain

Day 16: Joys from my Heavenly Father
             a) Direct conversation with Him
             b) Everlasting eternity with Him
             c) an amazing mom and dad who shaped me into who I am today

Anyone interested in doing this Joy Dare with us, let me know and I will show you were to find all you need!!! I am going to be more diligent and up date the blog with each week's joys that I find!!  ( Hopefully!!!)

Want to Improve Your Marriage?

Love, Sex and Happily Ever After by Craig Groeschel is a wonderful book for people in all walks of life: still single, newlyweds, or married for 20 years. The main focus on the book seems to target those who are single, engaged, or newly married, but even those who are married can still gain knowledge of how to improve their marriage in areas in which they struggle. Even after being married for 8 years, there were issues in this book we have been dealing! This book is a great easy read and full of useful information!

The author tackles very difficult topics within a relationship: sex, money, roles within the relationship, and steps to deal with those topics. The reader is presented with with actual experiences within Groeschel's life and ways that he overcame them.  He does an amazing job of backing up his advice and suggestions with God's Word.  Myths are exposed about sex along with the factual Truth. 

I wish this book would have been available for my husband and I to have read before we were married, but even now we shared info from the book and how we were going to apply it to our marriage.  This book would be great for a small group singles study!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing group for this review.

Easter Time!

Bree and I spend Easter 2012 with Mom.  She had only had her gall bladder surgery on the previous Tuesday and Dad had to work Easter weekend.  We did not want her to be alone so Bree and I went on a road trip on Thursday night to stay with her.  We stayed through Easter Sunday with her.  Bree attended the Easter Egg hunt at the First Baptist Church and just loved it.  She found lots of eggs filled with candy which she was super excited about since she doesn't get to have much candy.  She was utterly disappointed when she didn't win the door prize but she got over it! She had a lot of candy and eggs to dye to get her mind off of it.  She had a great time coloring eggs.  She was able to help a lot more than last year so she enjoyed it, letting us know the purple and pink were her favorite eggs!  Of course, all weekend we had to hid the eggs for her in the house so she could find them.  It was really hard to leave when we had to go back home after being with Mom and Dad for 4 days and also knowing that Bree helped Mom feel better while recovering from her surgery. 

A Great Book for Women!

                                                                  

Cooking dinner. Taking care of the screaming children. We go through the exhaustion of life.  We don't know how to get out of this rut so we just give up and don't try. We women all have issues, as much as we want to try to hide them.  Whether we are controlling, angry, insecure or fearful, we have some issue that we are fighting with almost every single day.  For us to be able to live the life that our Creator designed us to live, we have to bring these issues to light and come to dealing with each of them.  She's Got Issues by Nicole Unice confronts this issues and brings them out into the open.  She describes these issue in detail with a way we can transform ourselves and bring ourselves closer to Christ.

As I read through the issues in this book, I could relate so well to each.  This book has made a great difference in my life and how I have even been dealing with these issues since beginning to read the book.  I love the prayer, journaling exercise, discussion questions at the end of each chapter.  The discussion questions allow us to dig deep inside ourselves and draw out those issues we have. I also love how Nicole uses scripture throughout each chapter reflecting upon each issue and it is also scripture that we can memorize and ponder upon when we are struggling daily.  This would be a wonderful book for a women's study, discussing and supporting each other through our issues. 

Tyndale House publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. 

A Wonderful Book for Little Ones!!

As a Christian, coming upon a book focusing on God and his creation is exciting! Finding one to read for my 2 year old is even greater.  This is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading to her as much as she liked to hear it!

This book is beautifully depicted with drawings on every other page reflecting the words on the page before. My daughter excitedly looked over each page at the pictures as I read to her. We have read it every night for the past three nights because she likes it so much!

I love the way the baby bear is talking to his mom about where he came from and the mama bear goes through the process of her and papa bear being lonely, to God giving them baby bear in her tummy, to baby bear being born. Even though this book seems to be geared towards toddler aged children, the underlying theme of the book is great for even older children and beautifully depicted! What a joy to read!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for the purpose of this review. Any opinions expressed here are my own.

What a Precious Blessing Our Babies Are!

Frustration, exhaustion, stress...... These things seems to overbear me at times! But boy, this is such a reminder of how God chose to bless us with a sweet little angel that is growing up way to fast.

Lord, Help me remember, when I feel it's a chore
the time will come when I'll hold her no more
asleep on my chest, the crib refused
the blanket, the pacifier, gone unused.
What better place is there to lay her head
than against my heart, my arms her bed?
For infants grow up and leave us behindwith only memories left to remind
us of midnight walking and predawn rocking,
of soft, helpless babies unable to sleep.


So, Lord, make me patient and keep me awakewhile I cradle this child, and don't let me take
for granted the moments I spend in the night
with this ~ Your gift, my joy, my delight.


~Jan Dunlap

Daily Reminders

Sometimes we need a little reminder concerning what life is all about. Its not about my career, what movie to see next, what new car I would like to have..... Its living for the Lord.  No matter how hard I try to make that my first priority, something always seems to take over that position.

A wonderful company, Dayspring, has given me the opportunity to receive a few of their products in return for a review.  All opinions state are my own!

The first is an amazingly constructed vase with the word  BEAUTIFUL" down one back and Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He has made everything beautiful in its time." down the front.  What a reminder each day of what beautiful is through God's eyes.

My favorite product I received was a set of six coasters. Each coaster reminds of of how blessed we each truly are and how much He loves us. "Beloved God chose you from the beginning." 2 Thessalonians 2:13. " In all things God works for the good of those who love him and all are called according to their purpose. " Romans 8:28

What a reassurance I receive when I sit my drink down!

These both come from the Redeemed collection found at Dayspring.  I love this collection so much I would like to giveway a product!  The retail value of the mirror is$ 23.99.  The winner will only be responsible for shipping ($6) To enter, please become a follower of my blog and a winner will be chosen by random.org.  The giveaway begins April 16 and ends April 20! The winner will be contacted with certificate to redeem for the mirror.  Good luck and thanks for reading!

   

Fierce Beauty by Kim Meeder

What matters most to you? Your career? Your family? How you look? This powerful book will make you look at your priorities to determine what you really value in life!It was a real eye opener to me!

Through Kim sharing instances in her life in which she has seemed to hit rock bottom or has someone close hit rock bottom, we as readers stand in awe at the grace of God and how he can pull us from any situation if we set our focus and our lives on Him.  A answer to the brokeness that we feel when faced with trials and tribulations is beautifully revealed throughout this book. 

We often chase after this world's definition of beauty and value and reject geniune worth offered by our Lord.  Will we live in fantasies of our own creations or choose God's best purpose for our lives?
I recommend this book to any woman who is struggling in her life and is searching for a peace that only He can provide.  A truly amazing book!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing group for this review.

Capturing Bree

Its so very amazing how fast our little girl is growing up! She turned 31 months old yesterday.  It is mind blowing to think that in just 5 short months she will be 3!!! Brady and I try to video tape and take pictures as much as possible to capture the moments that are passing by much too quickly but I also am coming up with some other (hopefully creative) ideas to do so! For each of her future birthdays, we are going to interview her with 10-20 questions about her "favorites." It will be awesome to see just how much her answers change from year to year.  So I wanted to start now and with some of the questions to see how she answers and then again at her third birthday we will ask again and see if the answers are different.  Here is our interview!


Bree's Favorites:


Most beautfiul color: Blue
Greatest toy: "Hampstoms"  translation: Zhu Zhu Pet Hamster
Most delicious fruit: Blueberries
Most amazing tv show: Dora the Explorer
Yummiest snack: Raspberries
Coolest animal: Rhino
Best way to start the day: with Oatmeal
Greatest book to read: Teddy Goes Night Night
Words to sing: Baa Baa Black Sheep
Favorite cereal: Cheerios
Best sport to play with Daddy: Golf
What do you want to be when you grow up: A flower :)


Listening to her answer these questions was just too cute!! Made me laugh!


Another way we are capturing her "funny" moments..... Anytime Bree does something to make us laugh, we are writing it down on a small slip of paper and then we place it in a jar we have just for this.  Then on New Years Eve 2012, we will read all of them and fill our night with laughter of all the ways our little angel has filled our year with joy.

Catching up

Where was winter?  I really really am upset we did not have any snow.  I was so ready for us to build a snow man with Bree, snow angels, snow ice cream!! With the small amount of snow we did receive a mini snowman was built and Bree got to at least play in SOME snow. 

The first week of March is always fun for our family.  We head south to Austin for the Girls State Basketball Games.  It is three days of A LOT of basketball!! Whew!! This is the third year that Bree has attended and as we thought back over all the years that she has gone, its amazing how she has gone from sitting in her carrier sleeping in 2010, just sitting in our laps and falling asleep when she was tired and barely walking in 2011, and then this year, she was all over the place! We had to take a bag of toys to keep her occupied! But all three years she was wonderful and wasnt any trouble at all.  Sort of a mini vacation for us: hotel, great food, and my precious little family!!!

We couldn't wait for Brady's spring break to finally start! We were so ready to spend a week with him, and it was well deserved for him. The long haul from Christmas break to spring break is tiring.... oh I remember well! The first weekend of spring break we went to Oklahoma to stay with Nonnie and G for a few days. Of course, Bree had a blast having them to play with for four days! I am sure they were worn completely out once we left. While there we met with most of the family and had dinner at a mexican food restaurant in Norman and did a little shopping (looking around) together. It was a great time. We loved being with them and spending that time together!

After we came back to good ole Texas, we took Bree to the Dallas Zoo. We had been to the Ft Worth Zoo before we had Bree, but never the Dallas one so we wanted to give it a try. I'm glad we did! It was great and Bree loved it. She couldn't wait to see the elephants, the giraffes and the crocodiles. She played in the little kids area, watched a bird show, and rode the monorail. The few days before going to the zoo, that was all she could talk about! She would name all the animals that she hoped to see. From the amazement in her voice when she saw her favorite animals to the beautiful smile on her face, we knew she had a blast on her trip to the zoo!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Christmas 2011 was a blast! Bree just loved it and that made it so much more magical for Brady and I too! We traveled north on I-35 to Wynnewood to stay with my parents for 4 days.  Bree just loved spending time with her Nonnie and G.  And I know they loved the time spent with her! On Christmas Eve night, we opened our gifts with Nonnie and G.  New kitchen, cleaning cart, baby high chair, chefs apron and hat, coloring books and crayons, books.....Bree was in awe of all the presents she received.  She had so much to play with.  She wanted to open up and play with EVERYTHING!! Nonnie and G sure spoils this girl.... although they say she isn't spoiled.  We had a few firsts for Bree while in Oklahoma: she baked her first batch of Christmas cookies with Mommy and built a gingerbread train for the first time. 

On Christmas afternoon, we went to Aunt Gigi and Uncle Chris's house! Bree had a great time playing with her cousins: Marlee, Layton, and Jade.  Brady and I also enjoyed getting to see our family and fellowship with them.  We had some good food too!! Brisket, Nonnie's potato salad (my favorite!), corn casserole, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, and homemade bread.  YUMMY!!!  After we ate, all the kids opened their gifts.... once again Bree was super excited for her presents.... mixer set for her new kitchen, flashlight, books, Wow Wow dvd, puzzle, an Owl themed plate and bowl...... Anytime she hears the word "presents" now, her eyes light up! 

When we got back to Texas, Santa had left Bree a few gifts here!

During the week after Christmas, Brady's team played in the Whatabuger Tournament.  On one day of the tournament, Nana and Pop came to go watch the game and we had Christmas with them while they were here too.  And of course, Bree was super excited for more presents!!!  Clothes, basketball goal, Little Tikes Carnival, boots........ 

A New Year

Wow! 2012 already? It is quite amazing how quickly time is flying.  Bree is 29 months old now!!!! Our baby girl is getting so big, but still so beautiful.  Her vocabulary is outstanding and she is very articulate.  She has started using using small sentences and is very well mannered.... always saying "please", "thank you" and "you're welcome" without being prompted to.  She catches onto everything so quickly.  Show her once, and she's an expert!


Bree's Favorites:


TV SHOWS:   Wow Wow Wubbzy, Peppa Pig, Team Umizoomi
FOOD: Squeezable Applesauce, Raspberries, Pasta, Spanish Rice, Graham Crackers, Whipped Cream
TOYS: Puzzles, Flashcards, Flashlights, Books, Playing on Momma's cell phone, Basketball Goal, Kitchen