by Kimberly | Aug 16, 2018 | Books
(AD : I was given this book by Tommy Nelson in exchange for an honest review of the book and this giveaway is also sponsored by them.)
We are big dog lovers in our house – until they get up to us.
I grew up with such a fear of dogs. My brother had a dog when we were little. Smurty was his name (I think). He died of heart worms. My brother loved dogs, and still does as he has several rescue dogs.
I was bitten by a family’s dog in middle school and remember being terrified of walking home from the school bus because there were pitbulls in the neighbors yard. I just walked or ran as quickly as I could.
My husband loves dogs . He had a beagle growing up called Cagney – like the 80s tv show.
Our boys love dogs. But, they love them until they get up close to them and see how big or how loud they are. Even if the dog is cute and friendly they don’t want anything to do with them unless they are at least 10 feet away.
We aren’t planning on getting a dog anytime soon, even though we have the perfect backyard for it. We don’t have the time or money for the vet bills and another mouth to feed. We won’t be having any family pictures with little fur babies in it. I’m a boy mom, not a fur mom. I think they are adorable, but for someone else.
Unless, you can offer me a cat. Yes, that’s right, I’m a cat person. A cat is introverted and content to curl up on the sofa. That’s me. But, my mister and one of our boys is allergic – so that won’t be happening either.
So, how do I get my boys to love dogs – I read them dog stories. Our boys have stuffed dogs that they have named and carry with them everywhere. And that’s as good as its going to get for a while.
Finding Gobi is a little tale about friendship, companionship through the rough times in life, and faithfulness. These are all traits that I’d love to see our boys develop as they get older. Persevering and faithfulness are two character traits that our world sees greatly lacking in men.
If you’d like a chance to get a copy of this board book about a dog named Gobi for your son or daughter, a great read aloud for little ones, just comment with what your ideal pet would be?
Thanks Tommy Nelson!
by Kimberly | Aug 8, 2018 | Books, Kids r Readers 2
Now that school has begun for both of my boys, I have more time to blog.
I thought I’d start by telling you some of our favorite read aloud books this summer. I started with longer books (like Farmer Boy and Trumpet of the Swan, but my younger one wasn’t into it). So, we will try again later.
But, picture books still rule in our home.
Little Wolf’s First Howling This is a good reason to have friends who love to read. I was recommended this book by two of my friends who have girls. My boys died laughing at this. We had so much fun reading it together!
The Circus Ship I heard about this book on a podcast that Sarah MacKenzie was being interviewed on. We totally enjoyed it – and we adults love the tale too.
When the Cows Got Loose This was a fun story with bright colors.
Dino-Racing What a perfect story combination for my boys: dinosaurs and race cars
Motor Goose My boys still love mighty machines, so this was a great one to read one afternoon.
Muncha Muncha Muncha – You gotta have ways to make your kids eat more vegetables, right?
At bedtime, we took turns reading a little bit of Farmer Boy, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and Frog and Toad
What did you read this summer with your kids?
This time last year: I gave you a review of my favorite book I read in 2017.
Two years ago I gave you some tips on how to survive Mondays – but really this applies to every day of the week!
Three Years Ago: I talk about farmers markets and cookbooks
by Kimberly | Aug 7, 2018 | Uncategorized
Now that summer vacation ends tomorrow, thought I would share with you some of my favorite recipes from this summer. What did you cook this summer that you would love to share?
Everything in this cookbook (so far)
This roast chicken
Lemon Cake – double the lemon curd!
Berry Mascarpone Cake
These for easy summer breakfasts
by Kimberly | Aug 6, 2018 | Uncategorized
My favorite way to spend long drives or time in car running errands is by listening to podcasts. I thought I would share with you some of my favorites each month.
Surviving Sarah (the one with Heather McFadyen)
5 Questions
Sally Clarkson
Chompers (for the boys to brush their teeth)
Lazy Genius (cleaning and salad ones are my faves lately, oh and the farmers market one)
God Centered Mom the one with Jen Wilkin
What are some of your favorite podcasts – especially specific episodes. Leave me some new ones in the comments! I’ll be sharing mine more next month!
by Kimberly | Jun 29, 2018 | Uncategorized
Ok – so 41 years in the making, and I think, at least for now, I’ve gotten my face routine down.
Wow. I remember using Noxzema, Mary Kay, every over the counter product or line basically. But, now, as I’m getting older my face has regulated (you know, changing in hormones – even with a few autoimmune disorders).
I’ve never really had problematic skin, but would have the typical hormone-related black outs as a teenager (and as a mama!). Seriously, do you ever get too old for acne – apparently not.
But, I really love my skin right now, so I thought I would share with you the products I use. None of these are affiliate and I’m not getting paid for any of this. Just like what I use!
And before I go on, I would like to tell you what I love about my skin: it is so soft right now. Its not oily. It breaks out minimally but then clears up very quickly. I have normal skin on my face, not too sensitive, not too oily or dry. So, if you want nice soft, clean skin…try these. Hopefully the routine will work for you:
Goat’s Milk Soap. My mister and I started using Goat’s Milk Soap when we went to a goat farm in PEI on our honeymoon. We loved the soap. Now, we don’t pay shipping from Canada, but we try to get local goat’s milk soap wherever we live. My mister uses this too and we use it on our boys’ ultra sensitive faces. You can usually find local ones at fairs or farmer’s markets in your area or at places like Sprouts, TJ, Whole Foods, or Fresh Market.
Witch Hazel. I use this as a toner for my skin. I’m not a huge rose (the smell of it) fan, but this scent is very light. And do the research, Witch Hazel has lots of other uses as well.
ReBuildU Vitamin C serum. I have a sweet friend in my life. This is hers. She has been my makeup guru and told me about this when she first launched it. And you can get it 30% off if you use this particular link (at least through the end of June, which is tomorrow.
Coconut Oil. I don’t use very much of it and I use it at night. Its already in liquid form in a pump so it is super easy! And I don’t have to remember to bring some from the kitchen. I just use a little and rub it all in my face and neck until it doesn’t feel oily anymore. (The link above isn’t the exact brand I use, but I use fractionated coconut oil – pure oil).
The above I do every night. I wash with goats milk soap in the morning.
Now, here is what I want to find.
Eye cream
Day skin cream (that would be good for wrinkles and pores and aging skin)
And powder foundation
All the above I would love to find OTC or available on Amazon that doesn’t cost more than 20$.
by Kimberly | Jun 27, 2018 | Books
Bedtime may not be the smoothest time of our day in our home, but we are getting there, and there are several things we enjoy doing right at bed time.
The boys brush their teeth. We usually sit and read our Bible story (right now we are going through The Jesus Storybook Bible). Then my mister puts the boys upside down and I tickle their tummy.
We trade off who puts the boys in to bed each night, and who goes second. When I am the first to put my older to bed, I read him a little bit of a chapter book we are working through together. Right now we are almost finished with Farmer Boy. Then my mister will come in and make up a story and listen to E make up a story too.
With our younger son, we read a book sometimes and sometimes we just sing a song with him.
With both boys, I love to kiss them good night, get zerberts, another hug or two, and tell them for the 6th time goodnight. The last thing I always tell them, even if its been a super long day, is I love you. And I mean it. That’s what I want to go through their heads as they drift off to dream.
Hannah Hall wrote a cute animal board book, God Bless You and Good Night. It talks through a night time routine with cute parent/baby animal pairings. Its cute and will be a favorite in your home by your little ones. My older son liked the raccoons the best.
Thanks Tommy Nelson for this book and they want to give you one too! Just leave a comment with your favorite part of your bedtime routine with your children.
Last year: book on marriage
Two years ago: Recipe for peanut butter bars
by Kimberly | Jun 25, 2018 | Books
One of the aspects about God that we love to teach our kids is that He is Creator. Really, that’s like the first thing they need to learn and know and trust through faith – God created them and all they see. He is the Creator and therefore in charge.
This little board book, Night Night Jungle, is a great book to remind them of so many of the animals and trees that God created. It is a snuggly book to read while you are tucking in your kids.
One of my boys love animals. So, as we were reading this he wanted to tell me all the facts about these animals that he saw in the book, they took turns pointing out and naming the different animals, and tip-toeing around the “jungle” in their pajamas.
If you would like a copy of this through Tommy Nelson (who also gave me this book in exchange for a review), then just ask you kids what their favorite animal is and leave it in the comments. My boys’ favorites are cheetahs and jaguars.
by Kimberly | Jun 12, 2018 | Books
One thing that I’ve appreciated more (now that I am older – 41 – and have young kids) is older women. Titus 2 instructs the older women to instruct, mentor, disciple, love on, help the younger women.
And in parenting, I think it is crucial. Yes, we can learn from those younger than us, and even in the same boat as us, but it is so helpful to have older women in your life to pour into you and teach you.
I have a few moms of adult children that I learn from and listen to and hang on their words of encouragement. I also have a few moms who are actually younger than me but have kids who are older than mine. I want to know how they survived these little years!
Yes, women my age can have lots of wisdom. And I want to listen to them and share with them and have community and friendship with them.
But I want older women to pour into my life and my home and my parenting. That is one of the reasons I love Sally Clarkson. She is in her 60s, all of her children are grown, and they still have a great relationship and love and serve Jesus. God has blessed their parenting. It is evident, not perfect, but evident.
The Life-Giving Parent, written with her husband, Clay, is so rich with biblical principle (taken mostly from the Proverbs), practical tips in living out these principles, and anecdotal stories of their parenting. In some parenting books you just get the truths. But, what I love in each of these chapters is humble lessons learned from years of practice and trusting in God’s Word.
Definitely a book I want to read time and time again – and continue marking it up. I may not know Sally personally, but her books have mentored me over the years.
All thoughts are my own. I was given this book by Tyndale Publishers and was asked for my honest opinion. #ad
by Kimberly | Jun 3, 2018 | Books
(This book was given to me by Gilead Publishing. All opinions are my own.)
Something magical happens when you read a good Amish Christian fiction book (hint: a good one is harder to find than you think). You pick it up and are transported to another world. One that sometimes you wish you could be in.
Barbara Cameron’s works are really sweet and good . I’ve enjoyed the Harvest of Hope series (this first book review is here) this is the second one in the series. It can be stand alone, but it fits nicely in the second position too.
As I read this book, I thought of how much I could get done in my home and yard and with my boys if I didn’t have a cell phone, social media, or a TV. If I didn’t reun out of the house all the time to run errands. If I cooked most of my food at home. At how many desserts I could eat (every day) and not gain weight if I was working as much physical labor around the house.
I didn’t like the fact the husband had died in this book (not a plot ruiner). I don’t like the idea of either me or my husband dying and not seeing our boys grow up. I’m a Highly Emotional Person when it comes to reading since I’ve had kids. Not always fun.
Even though this book is predictable, she writes it in such a way as to keep you engaged and looking forward to the next series.
by Kimberly | Jun 3, 2018 | Books, parenting
(This book review is sponsored by Tommy Nelson Mommies. I was given this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks Tommy Nelson!)
Praying for our children… it is one of the biggest privileges of a parent’s life…and the one I do the least. There are days I’m so overwhelmed by the task of parenting my two boys, wondering how they will come to know the Savior, wondering how they will learn not to strive with their brother.
I can vividly remember mornings or nights, standing at my bathroom sink, tired…and thinking how I need to pray more because I can’t do this parenting thing on my own.
Then I let the cares of every day life – in the moment life – distract me from praying as fervently for them as I would like.
This cute bedtime story book goes through many of the milestones in the years. Giving us as moms ways to pray for our kids. You can tie these into prayers from Scripture (and not just from a book) for your kids. You can keep a journal of these prayers.
One way this book fell short was it ended with a parent’s prayer. Where you could take it: Jesus is our Great High Priest. He interceded for you even when I fail to pray for you as I should. He is the one who prays for you every night and every day. That is His job!
I have a I Prayed For You book to giveaway! Would you like it? If so, just leave me a comment and tell me one prayer you like praying for your little one.
