by Kimberly | Jun 10, 2016 | Books
Oh, since we moved into our new (to us, a rental) home on April 30, bedtime has been very LONG and tiring. We’ve had to switch bedrooms for our boys, try new tactics, etc. They go to bed fine if someone other than my husband or I am putting them to bed, but for us it usually is an hour to get them asleep.
Often my husband is the one doing this, if he is home. He is a champ. And often he will fall asleep on older’s bed as he is laying there listening to our little one tell him all about his day. My man is a working all day, come home, jump right in take care of the kids kinda dad. And I love him for it! I am one blessed momma!
Tommy Nelson has a new set of bedtime board books for the little ones that is a sweet duo of parent night night books. There is one for mommies and another for daddies. I would say the daddy one tends to talk more about God and his character than the Mommy one, but that’s the only difference for me.
I’m thankful and want to give away this set. The question you need to answer is name one special part about bedtime for you and your littles. And I always think new books are wonderful, and when your child is done with it, pass it along!
by Kimberly | Jun 10, 2016 | Books, parenting
Praying is something that is vital to the Christian life. And what better thing to teach our children but to pray to a God who made them and desires them to talk to Him.
The fact that we can talk to the very God who created us is an exciting thing. He hears us! He desires our words. He hears our cries when no one else does.
At meals, especially when Daddy is home, our little prayers are short, but super sweet to watch. Our younger who is almost 3, clasps his hands real tight and squeezes his eyes shut super tight. Both of our boys say Amen in such a way that you totally know they are from the South.
Tommy Nelson gave me I Can Learn to Pray for me to read with our boys and share with you. Continue reading to learn how to win a copy of your own for your family devotion times.
This book is designed for young school age kids. There are 52 devotions, so you can use one a week and really concentrate on repetition so each of your children get it. These devotions are great jumping off point for your family devotions, discussions, and any activities you might want to include.
If you do want to win this from Tommy Nelson, just leave a comment here or on a social media post The book will be coming from social media, but I (kcreatives) want to include a moleskin prayer journal so you can keep track of prayer requests for your family. So, what your comment needs to have is a verse that you would like written on the front of the moleskin.
Thanks for loving your kids well for the sake of the Gospel and teaching them how to pray!
by Kimberly | Jun 9, 2016 | kcreatives photography, mothering, newborn, Truly Families
I’ve recently been seeing a lot and hearing a lot through conversations about how hard it is for women to make friends once they reach the mommy years. I totally hear that.
If you look at friendships, they take time to develop, and meaning conversation. Meaningful conversation with other adults is hard when you are caring for littles. Every mom will agree with me.
But, friendships that last a while are hard to come by too. This little boy – his mommy – we’ve been friends for over 15 years. We’ve shared graduate degree lodging, we’ve shared our lives, and we’ve been next-door neighbors. And now, I had the privilege of capturing this little boys’ first few days. He was super sweet and cooperative and even let his mommy and I have a milkshake to celebrate!
And let me talk about these outfits this little one is wearing – his daddy did such a great job picking them out. Cute clothes for the win!
All photos property of kcreatives photography
by Kimberly | Jun 7, 2016 | Books, Uncategorized
Cookbooks are usually what I pick up when I just need something beautiful to look at that will also inspire creativity.
And this one by Andie Mitchell also inspires health.
I’m thankful for blogging for books who gave me this new collection of recipes. All opinions are my own but seriously what’s not to like? Health recipes, a healthy thought life about engaging w food, thoughtful and engaging writing, and pretty pictures. That’s what every cookbook needs.
by Kimberly | May 23, 2016 | Books
To say that life has been a little complex over the last few months would be an understatement. And I don’t think we are quite out of a season full of hurt and disappointment.
So, when I heard about Hunting Hope, I jumped at the chance to read it. (And you can enter a giveaway for it)
I’m not going to spoil it for you, but it lined up perfectly with my quiet times. I love the break down of the book – so focused on God and who He is – then challenging the reader to apply what they have read to their lives – in whatever season they are in.
So often when we are dealing with hurt, pain, or disappointment; when we are hopeless and not hope-filled, we tend to look at ourselves and sink deeper into despair. Nika Maples graciously offered us hope by pointing us away from ourselves and to our masterful God. Our compassionate God, our God who is there.
So, if there is something you feel hopeless about – turn first to the Word, but then if you need a companion to help you see some of God’s wonderful attributes and how they can be felt in your need, pick up Hunting Hope.
Thanks to Litfuse for the opportunity to read and share this book. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | May 23, 2016 | food
This post was sponsored by The Women Bloggers, LLC and #SoapBoxInfluence. Special thanks to the Kendal King Group, creators of Bush’s #HummusMadeEasy Campaign. All opinions are my own.
I love sandwiches. I mean, what’s not to love?
I grew up on white, butter, potato, or onion roll bread. Now I’m on to wheat, harvest grain, sourdough, or focaccia – or a baguette, garlic bread, cornbread. Is there really a bad bread – and we haven’t even touched the sweet breads yet!
Then, you add peanut butter and honey, banana and mayo, tomato and mayo and bacon, pimiento cheese, 5 cheese grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly. Or turkey and provolone, ham and swiss, blt, avocado and bacon to just about anything.
Then you have mayonnaise, mustard, relish, pickles, chips (especially bbq or doritos), salt and pepper…all the condiments. And enter hummus. Oh, yes, hummus.
I may have grown up on a simple grilled cheese or peanut butter and jelly – not organic or natural – just plain old peanut butter and jelly. But, as I’ve matured, my taste in sandwiches have matured as well. Don’t get me wrong, when I want a taste of my childhood, I still grab a tomato and mayo or peanut butter and honey with banana sandwich and it takes me right back to the orange groves and muscadines and strawberry fields of central Florida.
But, I do like to kick my sandwiches up a little, and as a mom, I need them still to be quick. And healthy. Bush’s Hummus Made Easy helps me be quick, easy, and a killer sandwich maker.
You may know Bush’s for their baked beans, and believe me, they are stellar for bbqs. But, now, Bush’s makes a hummus that is super quick, cheap, and healthy – and adds a pack of flavor to any sandwich.
I used all three of their flavor profiles to add great touches to my sandwiches.
Perfectly gooey grilled cheese
I used the southwest black bean hummus to add protein and spice to a Mexican grilled cheese. Just spread some of the hummus on the inside piece of bread (I used a good sourdough), then top with any mexican cheeses that you want – grill your grilled cheese as normal.
Simple and cool pita perfect for summer months
I used the roasted red pepper to make a vegetarian Greek pita. Just spread on the hummus on the inside of a warmed pita: and stack it full of cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes, and feta – all marinated in a greek dressing of your choice. Super good, and light – perfect for the summer months.
Bacon and hummus make a great pair
And I used the classic hummus for a tasty turkey and bacon sandwich. I used a regular whole wheat, added hummus, cheese, turkey and of course bacon.
This hummus, found at Wal-Mart next to the Bush’s Beans, is made with simple ingredients and absolutely no artificial preservatives. And while I love to make my own hummus, this is a simple, quick, and healthy alternative when I need a quick sandwich spread, appetizer, or snack
by Kimberly | Apr 23, 2016 | Books
Good night times in our home can be challenging, and rewarding too. It is the end of the day, but there are some nights that my boys are still wired. It seems they get done with dinner and just want to jump on the beds.
So, we love sitting on the edge of the bed and reading together. It really is a sweet time and one I enjoy. It also allows me to breathe from trying to get them to calm down so I can get there pjs and diapers ready for the long night.
A new book that I just received from Tommy Nelson is Good Night, God. It is a sweet board book, perfect for little hands (many ripped pages in our home) that has wonderful delightful thoughts and prayers about God and to God. Some of the truths that it tells your littles about God is that He protects, gives peace, covers you in love, shows kindness to you, is always with you, and many others.
While this book doesn’t cover every aspect of God’s character (which book does, except maybe a systematic theology), this is a great started for knowing the character of God.
If you would like to win one of these for your kids, please just tell me one of the characteristics of God you love teaching your children.
by Kimberly | Apr 22, 2016 | Bible, Books, Shepherding Children
Thank you to Crossway for sending me this Bible to review. All opinions are my own.
I am in the thick of parenting. I have a preschooler and a toddler. I always have thoughts, prayers, questions, emotions – all about being a mommy. Being a mommy is by far the toughest job I’ve ever had. So, I’m always curious about what the Bible – my source for ALL TRUTH when it comes to any thing I need to know about parenting.
If I have a question about my heart when it comes to parenting, or disciplining, or raising two young boys to be men of God – I go to the Bible. When I have a question about my kids and what their heart should be, how they should pursue God, what I should be praying for their future – I go to the Bible.
And, the new Writer’s Edition Journaling Bible is perfect for writers. I can keep all my parenting thoughts in one place. I write devotions for other mommas and want to keep my thought altogether. So, how I’m using it is by color-coordinating my thoughts. If I am writing something about being a mom – I will use a certain color ink. Then I will use a color ink for each of my boys. That way, over the years, I can fill it with thoughts and prayers for myself, but also for each of them.
Crossway puts out quality Bibles, and this one is no different. There are two inches of lined space at the bottom of each page making it perfect to write in paragraph form to journal one’s thoughts. There is a ribbon especially helpful if you are praying through a book of the Bible. The pages are cream and thicker which is great to help lessen bleed through with certain pens. I personally use Micron pens 01 for writing in my Bible mostly.
If you need other ideas about journaling, you can check out Donald Whitney who has written a great book on praying the Bible – which would be a great asset to you as you pray for yourself as a momma and for your children.
by Kimberly | Apr 21, 2016 | Books
It is no secret that I love handlettering. I love it. I’ve been loving lettering since about the 6th grade. Snail mail, homework, papers, journaling, Bible journaling, writing out talks, etc. Now, I do it for a creative side business.
I am always wanting new ways to learn and practice. So, I got Simply Calligraphy from Blogging for Books since I saw it was an option. And I received it, flipped through it, looked at its materials, and realized that it was great for a beginner – especially in “Real” calligraphy, not modern calligraphy.
If you want to know general concepts in a simple fashion, this is an ok book. I really love pretty calligraphy, and this just isn’t it. But, for solid techniques that are good for any handlettering, you might learn a few things.
by Kimberly | Apr 12, 2016 | Books
It is no secret that one of the best parts of traveling is learning the culture. And I think that the best way to do that is by eating the food.
Yes, food is a crucial part of traveling for me.
And in this new cookbook, Tasting Rome, I feel like I can travel to the city through the photographs and the recipes and the history. While there may only be a few recipes that I want to try to make at home, I think this book for me helps me experience a country I might otherwise never be able to visit.
Thank you to Blogging for Books for this book. All opinions are my own.
