The Giant Hug

The Giant Hug by Sandra Horning

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Take a look! This book gets a 5 star rating!

I really enjoyed the story line and reading it to my children. When Owen decides to send a hug to his Grandmother he does not realize how it touches the lives of others, too. A very sweet story with a fantastic lesson to it as well as more great illustrations by Valeri Gorbachev.

Harry By The Sea

Harry by the Sea by Gene Zion

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another cute story about Harry the dog.

What Do You Think?!

I have been thinking that I wanted to update my blog header. I've been dreaming up poses for pictures and waiting for my brother to come take them for us. All that until I got a message from my dear friend Cassandra, (whom I think may be my long lost twin...if I had a long lost twin), with a wonderful header attached! Now is that totally cool...or what?!

I say it's totally cool!

I adore her blog and her funny and thought provoking posts. I hope you will enjoy them, too.

Click on over and see her updated and sleek looking blog at Tripping Around The Sun.

Thanks Cassandra! I heart my new look thanks to you!

I've Lost My Mind!

It is official.

I have lost my mind!

What's that? That's not new news to you?!

Well, it is to me...er, was to me.

Let me start at the beginning of the story. You know, so as not to confuse you in case you didn't follow my frequent status updates on Facebook today.

We are going to be going away for a week at the end of August. Where is not important right now, but where we will be I will need to fix our meals. Rather than find my way around someone elses' kitchen and have to go grocery shopping while on "vacation", I decided to cook up a bunch of meals and freeze them all. At the beginning of the week I sat down and browsed one of my favorite cook books and made a list of all the items needed and bookmarked all the recipes for the big cooking day.

Yesterday I did all my shopping. I made a trip in the morning to our Walmart Super Center with the kids in tow and we played the Quarter Game while this Mommy worked her hard at gathering her food from afar. That is if the 15 minute drive can count as "afar"! Then later on I left the kids with Justin and did my Aldi run all alone. Did I mention how much I really enjoy grocery shopping ALONE?!

Well let me say it now:
I REALLY LIKE GROCERY SHOPPING ALONE!

Okay...now that we have that taken care of I can move on.

When I got home last night this is what my kitchen floor looked like as I tried to pack things into my cupboards and fridge.

(This is just my 2nd trip...not both!)

Since the fridge was so full that I couldn't get to the milk without pulling 40 other items out, I decided to begin cooking. That was at 8:30am. I didn't finish until 5:30pm and then had to mop the kitchen and dinning room floors. Let's just say that saying that my feet ache is the understatement of the year. Well, besides Emmy's statement about being shy, that is....if you follow my on Twitter you know all about that.

Along with the need for meals I could freeze and either bake or reheat at a later date, I also wanted dishes that were more healthy than non healthy. I think each recipe today called for minced garlic which is supposed to chase things out of your body. But we won't talk about that here! However, I will say that the Pampered Chef garlic press is one of my many favorite tools in the kitchen. I heart fresh garlic! And I really heart Pampered Chef!

So this is the list of what meals I put away in my freezer between a few hours last night and many hours today.

• Taco Filling: taco meat with rice & veggies mixed in
• Texas Ranch Stew: ground beef w/ lots of veggies, V8 juice, & small pasta shells
• White Chicken Enchiladas: chicken enchiladas with a white sauce
• Zesty Meat Chunks: my version of meatballs that will be served over egg noodles
• Chicken Noodle Corn Soup: homemade soup...here is my recipe.
• Cheesy Shell Lasagna: lasagna made with small pasta shells & sour cream
• Ham Noodle Casserole: spaghetti with ham & mixed veggies in a white sauce
• Macaroni & Cheese: I added hot dogs mixed in!
• Turkey Quesadillas Filling: ground turkey with lots of veggies
• Mexican Lasagna: refried beans, ground beef, and lasagna noodles to name a few
• Rotini Chicken Casserole: chicken, pasta, & veggie dish
• BBQ Goose Sandwiches: yup, you read right!

Some of these dishes lent themselves to being split in 2 pans or multiple dishes which allowed me to set some aside to take as meals to a family in our church. It's one day worth of work that gave me 12+ meals for our family and 6 to give away!
And now all of this leads me to say that I think I lost my mind...which you all so kindly said you already knew. I think I lost it because I had a whole list of things I wanted to get done today, but once I got in a groove I just couldn't stop. I mean, who in their right mind makes almost 20 meals in one day?! Although I think my friend Kimberly could answer that...and she's not our of her mind, either. So if you want more on major cooking days hop on over to her little place...er, big place seeing that she has 9 kids!
Oh, and did I mention that the clincher is that I'm fasting and couldn't eat a bite of anything I fixed. I told you I lost my mind.
Yeah. That's what I thought, too.

The Quarter Game

I look forward to lazy summers each year. Especially now that the kids are school or near school age. I enjoy the somewhat slower pace.

However, I do NOT look forward to doing my bi-weekly grocery shopping with 3 kids. Trying to keep all three calm, cool, and collected is sometimes an exhausting job. Oh, okay...is almost always an exhausting job!

Yesterday I was refreshing my mind on some good tips from a favorite parenting book called Creative Correction. You can read my thoughts on this book HERE. And as I read I came across the idea for The Quarter Game. You've been listening to me twitter about it, too, in the last few hours. So let me share what it is all about...

First you give each child a quarter. The goal is for them to hold onto it the whole time through the store and not touch other things and not lose the quarter either. If they make it through and still have it after you pay and are on your way to leave, they get to use to buy candy or a trinket from those 25 cent machines by the doors.

However, in the case that they lose it...like Little Miss Emily here...they have to wait for the next shopping trip to try again. You can lose the quarter by bad behavior, touching things, or simply dropping it and not being able to find it. Emily lost hers today by simply dropping it and then not finding it.

Abby managed to keep hers the whole time and bought a big orange gum ball before leaving. This little game created excitement about shopping and helped keep things a bit more cool, calm, and collected!

So there you have it! An easy "game" that just might help you.

One More Egg

One More Egg by Sarah Emmanuelle Burg

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Who lays eggs? When the Bunny wants just one more egg this little chicken finds out that she can!

Louise, The Adventures Of A Chicken

Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken by Kate DiCamillo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The name says it all. A fun story about what a chicken named Louise does when she goes looking for adventure.

Harry The Dirty Dog

Harry the Dirty Dog Board Book by Gene Zion

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Harry does not want to take a bath. He hides the scrub brush and gets dirty. So dirty that no one knows where Harry is! It goes to show that it's worth doing things we don't like.

Where Is The Apple Pie?

Where Is the Apple Pie? by Valeri Gorbachev

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A simple tale of a goat who bought a pie and what happened to the pie. A silly book that is fun to read.

Perfect Prudence

Perfect Prudence by Peter Harris

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

About Prudence who is perfect. Well almost. I don't see the point in this book. While it does show in a round about way that no one is really perfect, it's not strong enough to make it worth the time to read.

Penguin Post

Penguin Post by Debi Gliori

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The charming story of a little penguin who helps deliver the mail and finds a special delivery at the bottom of his post bag.

I Don't... {7/29/09}

...I don't eat pickled tongue, heart, or liver. Just give me the "regular" meat!

...I don't like being home alone. If Justin is gone over night I either have my brother come stay here or I go to my parent's house.

...I don't give my kids soda to drink...or milk much either. It's water, water, and more water for us.

...I don't like to be hot and sweaty.

...I don't like being bundled all up to the point I can barely move...hence I don't play in the snow.

...I don't like to be too busy. I can't be running someplace each and every day. Nope, this Mommy just can't handle that.

...I don't like to eat game meat that I have had to help butcher and process myself. I have a hard time stomaching it after I have been the one to dice and slice! So we now use a butcher frequently for the deer we get and Justin does the turkeys.

For more "I Don't" fun, DO click over to Jenna's Journey! See you there!

Nicky And The Fantastic Birthday Gift

Nicky and the Fantastic Birthday Gift by V. Gorbachev

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The sweet story of one little bunny's special gift for his Mommy's birthday.

All For Pie, Pie For All

All for Pie, Pie for All by David Martin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story of a pie that gets eaten by more than just the cat family. This is a sweet story of something enjoyed by many! A great kids book!

Chicken Chickens Go To School

Chicken Chickens Go to School by Valeri Gorbachev

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I like the simple story line, the sweet illustrations, and the wholesome story.

Harry And The Lady Next Door

Harry and the Lady Next Door by Gene Zion

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A cute story in the series about Harry the Dog. These 'good ole stories' are sometimes the most fun to read.

Turtle's Penguin Day

Turtle's Penguin Day by Valeri Gorbachev

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Little Turtle enjoys a story that his father reads and then spends the next day pretending to be a penguin. A delightfully fun and wholesome story.

Red Red Red

Red Red Red by Valeri Gorbachev

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Valeri Gorbachev has done it again! Another wholesome tale for kids. This one is a the cute story of Turtle on his way to see something...and learning the lesson of enjoying the simple things along the way.

That's What Friends Are For

That's What Friends Are For by Valeri Gorbachev

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While this is a short and silly little tale, the message of friendship is very good. Goat sees pig crying and things of all the ways he might cheer him up.

Skunk's Spring Surprise

Skunk's Spring Surprise by Lesléa Newman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A simple and delightful story of a skunk who wakes up and looks for his friends only to find they have a surprise for him!

Heron And Turtle

Heron and Turtle by Valeri Gorbachev

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A story of friendship between to unlikely friends. Heron and Turtle overcome differences to enjoy spending time with one another. A good story with a good theme.

Tubby And The Lantern

Tubby and the Lantern by Al Perkins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tubby is a small elephant. Tubby is a pet. Tubby makes a big paper lantern for Ah Mee's birthday. When the lantern floats away the adventure begins.

A cute adventure and fun story to read.

Benjy And The Barking Bird

Benjy and the Barking Bird by Margaret Bloy Graham

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Benjy doesn't like all the attention that Tilly the parrot gets when she comes for a visit. His jealousy leads to a problem. But he quickly realizes his wrong and helps to solve the problem.

Mercy Watson Fights Crime

Mercy Watson Fights Crime by Kate DiCamillo

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mercy's desire for buttered toast saves the day...er, the night in this story. While Mercy things it's all fun and games but she really has caught a thief and the story only gets more exciting when the police and fire department show up.

Again, a word of caution - they gloss over the thief and don't actually show him going to jail. Be sure to read this yourself and talk about the plot with your child.

Mercy Watson Goes For a Ride

Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride by Kate DiCamillo

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mercy wants to ride in Mr. Watson's pink car. Mr. Watson does not want Mercy to drive the car...but when things get crazy the police get involved and this silly adventure comes to a flying end! A cute chapter book for the growing reader. My only caution is that they never deal with the wrong that Mercy does. It's kind of swept under the rug, so be sure to read with or before your child and talk about the subjects brought up.

My First Book Of Questions And Answers

My First Book of Questions and Answers by Carine Mackenzie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Since I first had my first child I have wanted to teach them the many simple truths of the Bible in an organized fashion. When I came across this book I knew this was what I was looking for!

This little book holds 114 questions with their answers and the scripture reference to the proof text behind it. They are also nicely organized by topic such as "God", "Creation", "How Man Sinned"...and so on the list goes.

You can use this book as a devotional or as a question a day at meal time. However you choose to use it I know you will be blessed as you watch your kids grow in their knowledge of God.

Teaching My Children

I knew that they were out there. I saw them advertised in magazines and in online bookstores, but never had a chance to see one in person to know exactly what I was getting. Finally I found one listed at CBD that really caught my attention and since it was on sale for $2.49 I figured I couldn't go wrong. Worst case scenario is that I lost $2.49 if I didn't like it. So I bought this little book with high hopes.

My hopes were not dashed. This book is simple, easy-to-use, and so clear and to the point for teaching children the simple truths of the Bible.

Here is my review:
My
First Book of Questions and Answers by Carine
Mackenzie


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Since
I first had my first child I have wanted to teach them the many simple truths of the Bible in an organized fashion. When I came across this book I knew this was what I was looking for!

This little book holds 114 questions with their answers and the scripture reference to the proof text behind it. They are also nicely organized by topic such as "God", "Creation", "How Man Sinned"...and so on the list goes.

You can use this book as a devotional or as a question a day at meal time. However you choose to use it I know you will be blessed as you watch your kids grow in their knowledge of God.

At lunch time or breakfast I ask the kids the questions they know. For each answer they give me that is right I give them a skittle. Even Micah, at 2 & 1/2, can answer "God" when asked who made him.

The back of the book says this:

"Children always have questions about what it means to be a Christian. Do they need a long philosophical answer? Not always - and it is simple answers to deep questions that feature in this book.

If you have ever wanted to know how to explain the Christian faith to young children in bite-sized chunks then "My 1st Book of Questions and Answers" will be of great help to you. In 114 profound questions and answers, backed by scripture proofs, best selling author Carine Mackenzie provides and invaluable tool to get you started."

I hope that you will invest a few dollars into your children's lives and pick up your own copy to begin using with your children today! You can purchase it at CBD.com.

If this review helped you, click on over to my book review blog, To Read Or Not To Read, for more reviews.

Getting Bigger

Do your remember the part in the movie Finding Nemo where Dory and Martin are trying to ask a fish for directions?

As Dory calls out to the fish it swims closer and they soon realize it's not a little fishy...it's a big whale! The closer they got, the bigger the "fish" became.

I thought of this movie clip tonight while reflecting on my spiritual life. I know...you're sitting there now scratching your head wondering where I could possibly take this! I did watch Finding Nemo a few times too many a few weeks ago...but I haven't lost it yet!*

Seriously now, the more that I grow in my relationship with Christ, the more amazing He becomes. The bigger He becomes to me, the more I shrink in my own opinion of myself. (Actually, Aslan and Lucy have a conversation about this in the Chronicles Of Narnia, but I can't remember the exact quote.) The more I understand His love for me, the more I understand my need and dependence on Him. The more I understand His grace, the more I see my utter depravity. The times when I feel overwhelmed by my sin and begin to feel discouraged are actually moments of wonderful humility when I see just a glimpse of how holy my Savior really is. And so my prayer is that I won't run away from the greatness of it all, but that I will "swim" closer and continue to see His incredible glory.

I want to keep getting smaller while He keeps getting bigger.


*Please let it be known that I watched it with my kids...not by myself. I'm not that silly!

Emily Makes A Difference

Emily Makes a Difference: A Time of Progress and Problems by Joann A. Grote

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the story of Emily and her life back in 1893. It is a perfect blend of fiction and history to make a charming book for young girls (and boys, too!) to learn from and enjoy.

Cats & Kittens

Cats & Kittens by Katherine Starke

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Do you have older elementary age children who have a cat or want a cat? This is a great book for you to read together to learn more or all about having a pet cat. Combined with adorable real-life pictures and cute cartoons this is a comprehensive how-to-book for kids.

Give Thanks To The Lord: Celebrating Psalm 92

Give Thanks to the Lord: Celebrating Psalm 92 by Karma Wilson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a good book with a wholesome message to it. However, it only got 3 stars because the main part of the message is in the title! A good book...but just not quite as good as I thought it was going to be. This would be a good one to read around Thanksgiving.

Flora's Blanket

Flora's Blanket by Debi Gliori

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

We've all been there. Your son or daughter has lost his favorite animal or blanket and then bed time is the normal bed time! Flora can't sleep without her blanket. Her kind sisters and brothers offer theirs, but none will do unless it's her!

Mortimer's First Garden

Mortimer's First Garden by Karma Wilson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Winter is over and spring is coming....it is coming, righ?! Mortimer learns the importance of waiting on God as he watches a miracle take place for the first time. From just snacking on seeds to watching flowers grow this book is a cute story with a wonderful lesson.

Our Library

Our Library by Eve Bunting

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fun and creative! This book takes you along on a ride to save the library while learning just how much you can learn through the library! A handful of cute animals show us the importance and fun you can have while reading!

Read All About It!

Read All About It! by Laura Bush

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tyrone Brown is a boy who thinks reading is "so last year", but he soon gets in on an adventure that shows him otherwise. Read All About It brings out the fun you can have with your imagination and a good book put together. A fun and upbeat story that will encourage young minds to explore the world of books.

Be Still

Today I am reading through Psalms. Almost all of them.

When I am reading such big chunks of scripture like this I lose track of what chapter or verse I am on and so it's fun when all of a sudden a familiar verse pops of the page at me. That happened many times so far today, but one that seemed to latch on to me was Psalm 46:10.

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

We talk about "being still" a lot as Christians; and about hearing a "still small voice", too...but how often are we really still before the Lord? When was the last time you poured out your heart to God and then just sat in His presence not needing to say anything at all? I will admit that it is not one of my strong points either. In fact, even when I am depending on the Lord, I am still usually doing what I have to do, too! I might stop and pray when I have a problem, but rather than leave it there with Him, I finish praying and start trying to do something to help with the problem. I have trouble being still.

Right after God tells us to "be still, and know that He is God", he also says that He will be exalted. It may not be our timing - most likely not! - but in His timing He WILL be exalted among the nations and in the earth.

I am so thankful that no matter what I do or don't do He will be exalted. Now if I just would sit still before Him more often the process would be just a bit easier on me!

Take Two

Take Two by Karen Kingsbury

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoy all of Karen Kingsbury's books and story lines. And while this was another one that had a good line to it, there was also a side to this one that I didn't like. It was much more sensual than what I remember any of her others to be. While I will most likely read the next one to continue following Bailey and Cody, I didn't appreciate the plot that involves Andi. I'm not sure if I would let my teen daughter read this...probably not.

I Don't...

There are a lot of things I do. But then there are a lot of things I don't do! Here's a few...

• I don't mow the lawn. That's always been the guys job in both of our families and so it's only been on a rare occasion that I have done that sweaty job.
• I don't drink hot coffee. Nope. I fix it, I smell it, I buy coffee scented candles...but this girl only drinks frapps. And only Starbucks frapps to be specific!
• I don't iron. {gasp!!!} I use the dryer for good clothes and then immediately hang them up. And for the few wrinkles that we do have to deal with...well, that's what wrinkle releaser is for!
• I don't watch scary t.v. shows or movies. I am easily scared and don't need any help in this department!
• I don't garden. In fact, green things die when I try to take care of them.
• I don't read much fiction. Check out my '09 reading list and see for yourself! I read a LOT but less than 20% if fiction.
• I don't eat tomatoes. I like tomato sauce, ketchup, and other tomato products...but raw tomatoes...no way!
  
  So what do you NOT do?
  
  Link up here at Jenna's and share your list with us!
  

Some Deep Thoughts

I have had several post brewing in the back of my mind and I was going to sit down and actually type them out this afternoon. But then I was blog browsing and read Cassandra's post for today and all my thoughts went out the window!

Ladies, she has a a good post today and so rather than you read my ramblings, I want you to click on over to Tripping Around The Sun where you can get some GOOD food today. Oh! And as a bonus, if you comment you will have a chance to win the book she's blogging all about.

What are you waiting for?????

Go on...go visit Cassandra!

Chicken Chickens

Chicken Chickens by Valeri Gorbachev

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The cute story of two little chicks and their first time to the playground. The other animals encourage them to do new things but the chicks are too scared. Then one animal steps up and helps them in a big way. A cute story of fear and friendship.

The Missing Chick

The Missing Chick by Valeri Gorbachev

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mama Hen has 7 chicks. Oops! There are only 6 chicks! Where did the 7th one go??? The search is on with all the animals out to help.

Max Talks To Me

Max Talks to Me by Claire Buchwald

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a sweet story about a boy and his dog. Alex and Max are learning to be friends and Alex learns how to care for his dog and listen to what he needs.

Mercy Watson, Princess In Disguise

Mercy Watson, Princess in Disguise by Kate DiCamillo

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mercy Watson dresses up for Halloween because she wants treats. But trying to get treats leads to a chase. And there is always the fire department when Mercy is involved! You and your children will enjoy this silly tale of another adventure with Mercy the pig.

Our Little Soccer Player

Our church is putting on a Soccer Camp for the community this week. Abby is attending as well. Such a cutie she is! This is her new ball that camp with her camper packet, as well as the t-shirt and sack pack.

Nanny Goat and the Seven Little Kids

Nanny Goat and the Seven Little Kids by The Brothers Grimm

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I remember this tale as a child myself and it was fun to read to my own kids. They enjoyed the story and we talked about fairytales because they didn't understand how the goat could cut a whole and then sew it back up! The fun illustrations make this a good read!

My Wagon Will Take Me Anywhere

My Wagon Will Take Me Anywhere by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My kids, (6, 4, & 2), all enjoyed this book about the adventures you can have with a bear, a dog, a red wagon, and most of all with your vivid imagination! Well written and illustrated this book makes a you want to read it over and over.

The Faith Of Condoleezza Rice

The Faith of Condoleezza Rice by Leslie Montgomery

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I always liked Condoleezza Rice while she served under the Bush administration, but after reading/listening to this book I have an even deeper respect for her. This is a great book about more than her faith but her life in whole. You will cry, laugh, and grow in your appreciation for her and many other Americans who have shaped our country.

Great Balls Of Frozen Cookie Dough

Have you ever had company show up unexpectedly? Or maybe your kids bring home some friends and you realize that your cupboards are bare. Then again you might have just had one of the craziest days and need a quick treat to take to that event tonight.

Well then, you have come to the right place!

When you have time to do so, make a up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. If you want to try a new recipe - which is the best out there! - click here to get the one I use. Then rather than make them all, pop a few in the oven and while they are baking, take the rest of the dough and roll it into little balls of cookie dough. Now flash freeze them for 10 minutes and then place them all in a gallon freezer bag. Next time you are in a pinch for time or energy you can take a few out, place them on a pan, and in 15 minutes of little effort you now have fresh baked cookies!

My Utmost For His Highest:Jesus Wants All Of Me

My Utmost for His Highest: Jesus Wants All of Me by Oswald Chambers


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
On the back of this book it says: "Kid-sized devotions with big-time truths!" I think that is the best way to sum up this adorable little devotional book that is full of sweet illustrations and wonderful, never-changing Biblical truth.



There is a dated page for each day of the year that contains a devotional that is short enough for young attention spans, but is deep enough to start some good conversation with your children. I highly recommend you take a year to go through this with your children or give it to your grandchildren.