Camera Bag Giveaway

Jo Totes has some great camera bags for ladies.  They don't look like camera bags at all, just cute handbags.  Some of them basically fit an SLR camera and a lens.  Some will hold the camera, a couple of lenses, a laptop, and an iPad.

MagnoliaElectric is giving one away.  Enter by April 7.

Quick and Entertaining

Shadows on the Sand by Gayle Roper was a great quick read that was very entertaining.  I was probably more interested in the setting than some others because I used to live near there so I was familiar with it already.  Roper did a great job developing the characters and making them very believable.  Carrie was a great main character with an interesting history.  The romance between Carrie and Greg was perfect.  It didn't move to quickly and was very realistic.  I appreciated that it wasn't delivered like a fantasy but something that could really happen.   I enjoyed the plot and found the book difficult to put down.

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

Mercy Come Morning by Lisa Bergren

This is a great story of a the forgiveness a daughter can have towards her mother after years of pain and suffering. In the story, thirty-something Krista comes home to the Southwest to care for her dying mother who has suffered from Alzheimer's for decades. While spending time at her mother's side, she discovers things about her mother that she never knew and learns more about why their relationship had been so difficult. 


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

Me gusta Sisterchicks in Sombreros by Robin Jones Gunn

This is a great book about the relationship between two sisters and an adventure of a lifetime.  It's a great beach read, light and easy but thought-provoking.  It's a great piece of women's fiction that shows how God can work in our lives when we least expect it.  Reading it made me want to take a cruise to Mexico someday with my girlfriends.

Restless in Carolina by Tamara Leigh

Restless in Carolina tells the story of thirty-something Bridget Pickwick Buchanan who is still deeply grieving the loss of her husband four years ago.  From a well-established family in the south, she is something of a wild flower in a field of lilies; just as beautiful but sticks out.  Due to financial troubles and the desire of her uncle to pay retribution for a long-standing dispute with another family, the family estate needs to be sold. Her love of nature and environmentalist beliefs cause her to seek out a buyer for the estate who has earth-friendly plans for development.  

Enter J.C. Dirk, the developer Bridget is seeking.  His plans seem acceptable and his price is right but is it too good to be true?  Is everything as it seems?  Can Bridget learn to trust God to take care of her after seemingly ignoring her request to heal her husband?

This book is a great summer read.  It is very entertaining, mildly thought-provoking, and easy to read.  Although it was a little predictable, I still enjoy the way the author unfolded the plot.  She depicts Bridget as an authentic person who is struggling with her faith in God.  If you are looking for a good piece of chick-lit, this book is for you.

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

Thoughts on Faith

As I drove home today I was listening to K-Love and a couple of my favorite worship songs came on the radio.  I sang along and began thinking about my relationship with God.  See, I've known God my whole life.  I was raised in a Christian home and can't remember a time in my life when I wasn't going to church and spending time with God.  Now don't get me wrong.  I am far from the perfect Christian.  I go days without reading my Bible.  (That's something I'm trying to fix.)  Many of my prayers are one or two liners, not an hour long or even a half hour.  I've often wondered how much I rely on Him because there was no obvious life-changing experience for me.  He has just always been there.  As I thought about this and listened to the music, I realized something.  I am FREE!  I always heard people talking about being free from various forms of bondage because they placed their trust in Christ but I never felt free from anything before.  I guess it's just that I usually hear about bondage such as substance abuse or addictions so I never realized that I am free, as well.  Not only am I free from those things because He has kept me from them but I am free from a life of constant worry over finances and my family's health and well-being.  Yes, I still worry sometimes about those things but it's always temporary because I know that my faith and trust in the Lord.  He will not give my any difficulties that He will not carry me through.   I know this doesn't seem like much to many of you but for me it was a wonderful realization.  Thanks, God!

A Trip to Rite Aid and CVS

I got some great deals at Rite Aid and CVS this week!  I only purchased items for which I had a coupon (or two) and only bought items that we need and will use.  (Yes, I know we don't NEED the coffee and chocolate but they were completely FREE with coupons!)

$17.17 for all this! (Possibly, $12.17.  I have to wait and see if I get a rebate for part of it.)

4 bottles of Pantene

4 bottles of Head & Shoulders

4 bottles of Gillette body wash

4 tubes of toothpaste

4 toothbrushes

2 Gillette Pro-Glide razors

2 bottles of John Frieda Full Repair 

2 bottles of Renu

2 cans of Seattle's Best Iced Coffee

1 Hershey bar

That's an average of $.60 per item.  (or $.42 per item if I get the rebate)

Review of "Departures" by Robin Jones Gunn

I wish I had these books when I was in middle school. Gunn does a great job of creating characters with depth who are great role models for young girls. While the books are about high school aged kids, I think they'd capture the attention of middle school girls better. I know I always read books about kids who were just a little older than me as I was growing up. These books can be really helpful in preparing young girls for some of the struggles they will be facing. They allow girls to start thinking about them and develop a plan for how to respond to certain situations. I think they'll also help girls to stay focused on God through the middle and high school years. I hope my daughter develops a love of reading so I can introduce her to these books in about 8 years.

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

Get some great samples and savings on Motts for Tots at:

www.vocalpoint.com/mottsfortots

Thanks to Vocalpoint!

Regret Free Parenting by Catherine Hickem, LCSW

Regret Free Parenting is about the fears and challenges of motherhood and how we can correct some of our biggest mistakes before it is too late. In this book, Hickem teaches how to figure out what matters to you as a mother and how to instill that in your children in an effective way. She touches on subjects such as your purpose as a mother, knowing and affirming your child, and developing emotional intelligence. She also discusses children's respect for their mother, addressing your fears as a mother, and most importantly being dependent on God.

I found this book very interesting and helpful. It prompted me to thoughtfully consider how I'm parenting my pre-schoolers. Her biggest point was to be intentional, which is something I needed to hear. It caused me to stop and make a point to change how I raise my kids. She does a great job of getting her message across without being condescending or preachy. She fills the book with stories to help illustrate her points, which kept my attention. Typically, I have a difficult time reading non-fiction but this book was different from some others I have tried. I appreciate that she emphasizes the importance of a relationship with God as you parent your child and introducing them to God as well.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSneeze for this review.

Tandem - Runner Up to its prequel

Tandem is the sequel to Bateman's Thirsty, which I found to make an interesting parallel between an alcoholic addiction and the desire/need for human blood for a vampire. Normally, I wouldn't consider a book about vampires but Thirsty intrigued me. Since I enjoyed it so much I decided to check out Tandem.
While Bateman has proven herself a creative writer with a talent for creating deep and full characters, I was disappointed in this book. The storyline was interesting and entertaining to read. I enjoyed the characters and setting very much. My disappointment lies in the weakness of the analogy in this book. I think it was so strong and obvious to me in the first book that I just couldn't get past that in this one.

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

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes

If you are looking for a fun, easy-to-read story about lifelong friends who have never met face-to-face, this book is for you. The eighth book in the Sisterchicks series begins with Summer whose "abnormal" medical test spurs her to finally meet her friend, Noelle, who has been her pen pal since fourth grade and lives in the Netherlands. Summer flies across the Atlantic to spend a week with her long-time friend.

Gunn does a fantastic job of describing the scenery and helping me to understand the differences in culture. She develops the characters nicely and made me feel like I knew them personally and that I was right there with them sharing their adventures. Her description of Corrie Ten Boom's hiding place made me want to go there someday. Gunn has a way of incorporating beautiful historical facts and places in her books and this one is not lacking. This is a great book that is insightful and caused me to reflect on my own life. It is a relaxing read that won't take a long time. Gunn's books always leave me wanting to read the next one.

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

The Value of a Diamond

In determining the value of a diamond there are five C's to be considered: carat, color, clarity, cut, and cost. The carat refers to the weight of the diamond, not the diameter. The color is actually the lack of color. The clarity is the amount, location, and contrast of flaws, both internal and external with internal having a greater effect on the value of the diamond. The cut, which is often confused with the shape, actually refers to the proportions and cut specifications. These specs are extremely important in how the diamond returns the brilliance, dispersion and scintillation to the viewer's eyes. Finally, the cost is how much consumers are willing to pay for the diamond given its grading based on the first four C's. To find a diamond that is perfect in every category is incredibly rare.

Now, I'm not writing all of this because I am some kind of diamond expert. The only diamond I own is on my engagement ring and I have no idea what it's grade is. I've never shopped for a diamond and, beyond the basics, would have no idea for what to look. I can't imagine the pressure many man feel when shopping for that perfect engagement ring. They want to find something that they can afford that their fiance is going to love. Of course, most (if not all) women I know wouldn't know the difference between a good diamond and a great diamond just by looking at it with the naked eye. That's because you can't tell much about the appearance of a diamond without the help of some special tools like a microscope, a scale, and some color grading stones. On a couple of occasions I've found myself admiring another woman's engagement ring because the diamond was so much bigger than mine or it seemed to sparkle more. In all actuality mine could have been more valuable (doubtful, but possible) if it had less internal flaws, had more clarity, and was cut properly. But to my naked eye the other diamond just seemed prettier.

Isn't this true in life as well? Don't others seem to somehow have better lives than us? Have you ever looked around and thought, "That person has it all together.", "They have the perfect relationship with their spouse.", "They have the most well-behaved children.", "They have the easiest job.", "They have the nicest house.", or "They are so much more spiritual than I am."? It's an easy trap to fall into. We've all done it. We look around and see a bunch of beautiful diamonds and we feel like a lump of coal beside them. It's funny how to some of those very people, WE look like the beautiful diamond and THEY feel like the lump of coal but we have no idea. We can only see with our naked eye what their lives are like. We see how they sparkle and shine. But remember, the perfect diamond is rare.

Unless they give us the microscope to see inside, we don't see the tint of color, the internal flaws, or even the external blemishes . Even then, we can only see so deep. God is the only one who can see right down to the core of each person and know their true value. Of course, He's the one who gives us our value and really, we all have the same value in His eyes no matter what our C's tell us. We ALL have the same cost: the life of Jesus Christ, His Son. He paid the same price for each and every one of us. Jesus was the only perfect diamond.

So the next time you start to think about how someone else has it better than you, remember that they are just an imperfect diamond like you. If we start allowing others to use our microscopes, they'll probably let us use theirs. When we realize that others have imperfections just like we do, we can stop comparing ourselves and start helping each other instead.

One final note: Did you know that the purpose of some diamonds is to be ground up to polish other diamonds? Food for thought...

FREE Music!

I've known about this for a while and I don't know why I didn't think of blogging about it before now.  Hopefully, this is new and helpful to some of you.  Although if it is not new then that's great because you are already taking advantage of it.  So anyway, if you have an mp3 player and want to try some music without having to pay for it, here is a LEGAL way to do it.  (By the way, it is illegal to have music, movies, etc. on your mp3 player or on a copied disk that you have taken off a friend's cd/dvd, a library cd/dvd, a netflix dvd, etc.  Sorry, that's the law.  Don't shoot the messenger.)

So for the FREE music, you can go to Amazon and search for FREE songs or albums by clicking HERE.  Look on the right hand side and you'll see the top downloaded FREE songs.  Below that are the top downloaded FREE albums.

Or you can go to the iTunes store.  If you scroll down to the bottom of the page there is a spot that says "Free on iTunes".  Click there and you can get FREE songs, videos, television episodes, and podcasts.

You can also get FREE music at your local Starbucks store.  They typically have a display of "pick of the week" cards either on the counter where you order, pick-up, or doctor your coffee.  On the back of the card is a code with instructions on how to download the song.  You do need to have an iTunes account for this.  They update every Tuesday.

Another way to get FREE music is at walmart.com.  If you click HERE, you will see about five songs that you can choose to download for FREE.

I'm sure there are many other places to download FREE music.  These are just a few that I know.  By far, amazon.com gives the widest selection from which to choose.

I hope this helps some of you in your quest to build your music library or try new styles of music or new artists.

Want vs. Need

I think the question of want versus need is a universal question regardless of spiritual beliefs.  Do I really need a new house, car, video game system, sweater, or even a name brand food item when there are people starving without a roof over their heads?

I've been thinking about this for a while.  Our church has just begun a faith-raising campaign.  The vision that God has given us is to expand His family in a variety of ways in our community and surrounding area.  He also wants those of us who are already part of His family to grow deeper in our relationship with Him.  This is why it is called a faith-raising campaign instead of fund-raising.  The main goal is to grow His kingdom deeper and wider, not to raise money.  If we follow His call to give what He wants each of us individually to give then He will be blessed and so will we.  (Luke 16:10-13)  But this campaign didn't begin these thoughts of need versus want.  I've been contemplating them for a long time, especially when my husband and I getting ready to make large purchases.  Although, I've been trying harder with the small purchases because they really add up.

I've always struggled with wondering if I really need something that seems like a non-necessity when compared to the starving children in Africa, for example.  I think it would be easy (in some ways) to say I don't need much and live in the smallest house you can find, ride a bike everywhere you go and send everything you have to those in need.  Then you could say,  "Look what I gave up to help others."  But if God wants you to have a house that can accommodate four or more people so you can host a small group or have a car so you can transport people to work, school, or wherever, then your lifestyle is disobedient to Him and therefore sinful.   On the flip side, it would also be easy (in other ways) to have a large home and a nice new SUV that holds eight people so you can host a large group and transport people who need rides.  But if God wants you to downsize because you can still do those things with a smaller house and a used vehicle that is less expensive to own, then your lifestyle is disobedient to Him and therefore sinful.  Now those are two ends of the spectrum.  My family falls somewhere in the middle.  Our home is not large but is big enough to accommodate around twelve people comfortably for a gathering.  Our vehicles are not new.  We've never owned a new vehicle.  They are big enough to transport our family but no one else if the kids are with us.  But we do have two.

Part of the problem lies in comparing ourselves to other people.  This is a problem in so many areas of our lives.  The funny thing is that God doesn't compare us to one another so why do we?  This can be problematic in a several ways.  We can see what others have and think, "I wish I had that because then I could really do God's work" or "Do they really need that?  They should sell it and give the money to someone who needs it."  Both scenarios are wrong.  God gives us what we have for a reason.  Sometimes we just need to get creative to find ways to serve Him with what we have instead of wanting something else.  Who are we to judge what others have and what they should do?  How do we know that God didn't give them what they have so they could reach people that we can't?  Who could better minister to a wealthy person than someone else with wealth?  It gives them a common ground and allows a relationship to form without guilt for having money.  Having wealth is not a sin.  God made Solomon a very wealthy man.  (1 Kings 3) On the other hand, we can see what others don't have and think, "They have nothing.  I should give away everything to help others" or "See how much I have compared to them.  I must be doing something better than they are."  Now it may seem in the former to be a noble, godly thought.  However,  God wants us to be good stewards of what we have.  If we give everything away just to make ourselves feel good we may be robbing ourselves and our families of things that God wants to give us.  I think it's fairly obvious that in the latter thought there is an amount of arrogance and self-reliance to the statement.  We need to recognize that everything we have comes from God.  We don't earn the money we have.  God blessed us with the job and the ability to perform that job so that we can receive money to provide for our families and the needs of others.  (James 1:17)

So where does this leave us?  Well, we need to earnestly ask God what He wants us to own and what He wants us to give away.  Sometimes that can be the hardest part, figuring out what He wants us to give.  I think that once you know that it becomes a lot easier in the sense that you only have two options, be obedient and give and trust that He'll take care of your needs or disobey by holding back because you think you need what you have.  But, still, many times it's not easy because you have to give something up.  If your instinct is to hold back, you should try to seek out why and ask Him to help you to trust Him. (Acts 20:35)  We also need to realize that He could send His answer in many ways, not just through an intense feeling that He is leading you in one direction but also through the encouragement of others,  circumstances in our lives, and His Word.  He may just ask us to give even though we may not know exactly what we're giving to.  It's the condition and attitude of our hearts toward Him in giving that gift that He honors, not that we think we are giving to a good cause.

Goofed Blueberry Muffin Trifle

So I made blueberry muffins for my kids the other day but they didn't turn out so well.  The bottoms were burnt but the tops and the insides were fine.  So, not wanting to waste them, I scooped out the part of the muffins that were okay and put them in a storage container.  Then for MOPS this morning I made a trifle with the muffin pieces, some vanilla yogurt, and fresh blueberries.  It was such a hit  there was none left at the end of the meeting.  So remember, just because you bake something and it doesn't turn out quite right that doesn't mean it can't be used to make something fantastic!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My father's side of the family is very Irish.  I grew up having corned beef and cabbage with carrots, potatoes, and irish soda bread every year on March 17.  We would also get together with family and other Irish friends to celebrate.  Unfortunately, I haven't tried to make corned beef on my own yet but I may try it this year or next.  I definitely want my children to grow up with that tradition, especially since my husband has some Irish blood in him.  The one thing I have made is Irish Potato Candies.  They are little coconut candies that look like potatoes.

They are very easy to make.  If you would like to try the recipe, here it is.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/4 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1-1/4 cups flaked coconut
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

In a medium bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add the vanilla and confectioners' sugar; beat until smooth. Using your hands if necessary, mix in the coconut. Roll into balls or potato shapes, and roll in the cinnamon. Place onto a cookie sheet and chill to set. If desired, roll potatoes in cinnamon again for darker color.

Natural Remedy for Allergies and the Common Cold

Well, it's that time of year again.  The itchy eyes, runny nose, and sore throat are back again.  It tends to stay away during the winter months but as soon as the weather gets warmer, they're ba-ack!  So a few years ago, my mother and sister turned me onto my new favorite remedy...  

The Neti Pot  

You use a saline solution (you can buy packets at the store or make your own).  You use the neti pot to pour the solution in one nostril and let it drain out the other.  It sounds weird but it really works to clean out your sinuses.  You just have to make sure you breathe through your mouth or you'll swallow it, not fun.

I've noticed that when I use my neti pot, my throat doesn't hurt as much, if at all, and my nose is cleared for a while.  The nice thing about the neti pot is that you can use it as many times in a day as you want.  With medicine you have to be careful not to take too much in a day or you can really harm yourself.  It is also perfectly safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding when you have to limit the types of medication you use.  There are days when I use my neti pot up to six times.

Coffee in an Instant

So, as you may have figured out, I love coffee!  My sister-in-law (my husband's brother's wife) shares this love, as well as the love of chocolate.  We have great bonding over coffee and chocolate.  Anyway, since they live about 10 hours away from us by car, we don't get to see them very often, which makes me sad.  So at Thanksgiving we sent our Christmas presents for them with my mother-in-law and father-in-law and they sent theirs to us this past weekend through the in-laws as well.  

This is what I got, a Starbucks Via Ready Brew mug.  It is a 10 oz. travel mug that holds 6 Via Ready Brew packets on the bottom so, as long as you refill the mug with packets, you always have coffee available if you have your mug with you.  All you have to do is empty the packet in the mug and fill it with hot water up to the fill line.  To put the packets in the storage compartment, you just unscrew the bottom and put them in.  Then just put the bottom back on.  This is very convenient if you want a cup of coffee but only have access to hot water.  I love that you don't have to worry about finding a packet of instant coffee because it's already in the mug.  I've also found the Starbucks Via Ready Brew to be the highest quality instant coffee I've ever had.  It's not as good as brewed but it's not bad at all.  It doesn't taste burnt like some of the other brands.  You can get three different kinds:  Columbia (Medium), Italian Roast (Extra Bold), and Decaf Italian Roast (Extra Bold). 

While I love my Melitta Ready Set Joe, I can see that this mug will also be useful for those times when I don't have even 5 minutes to make a cup of coffee but really want one.

One of the Highlights of My Week

I love my MOPS group.  We meet twice a month.  We also have a play date and a mom's night once a month.  It's a great time of fellowship, food, and fun.  We are very blessed to have wonderful childcare providers during our meetings so we can really focus on spending quality time with one another.  I strongly encourage any mom, working or not, to find a group like this to support one another.  For more information on the national organization, click HERE.  For more information on my local group, click HERE.