by Kimberly | Oct 29, 2018 | Books, Home
(This post is sponsored by Harvest House who sent me the book The DIY Home Planner to review. All thoughts are my own. Thank you!)
When my mister and I get married he already had all of our bedroom furniture. We were both older when we got married, and thank goodness that I really liked our master bed!
So, we just don’t have the money to go replace perfectly good beautiful furniture just because I might not have picked it at the store, or I would like to lighten it up some.
But, he has always been generous to me in our marriage to make our home really what I would love it to be. So, we’ve done that over the years. We still have the same furniture, but my husband may not have picked the Hearth and Home garland that is now over our bed.
When we moved into this house 15 months ago, our master bedroom didn’t have a door for the master bathroom. And it only had the 70s bar doors (the swinging type) into the toilet room. So, before we even moved in we took those down and repainted that area. But, we’ve done without a main door. And all along I wanted these barn doors.
I had the privilege of getting to know Cathy Nugent during our time in ATL. She is a beautiful wedding planner. And since I was already married, I couldn’t use her skills in that market. But, she and her husband, Rob, started A Hosting Home, and I love what they do.
When we had a little bit of money come in, we knew it was time to go for it. So, Cathy and I talked back and forth, sent measurements, shot her Pinterest ideas. And she and Rob took those and made us the perfect barn door.
We had some friends come and install it for us which was such a blessing. A friend loaned us their truck, we snuck in a day date in ATL. All in all, my husband said last night that he loved it, well worth the money, and could easily have cost us double what we paid for the door, delivery, and installation.
So, if you think you want a statement piece in your master (or anywhere else in your home), don’t hesitate. Just think it through and go for it.
The DIY Home Planner has been a fun design book to look through and use the pages to think about what we would like to do here in our home. As a watercolor artist, I love the illustrations! If you are a pen and paper girl like I am, this book will be a great workbook tool for you for any room in your home.
by Kimberly | Oct 2, 2018 | Books
Ever since my boys were little, they have loved mighty machines. There was a show called Might Machines on Netflix for years that we watched constantly. Always singing the songs.
My older boys favorite word before he could really talk was “boowah” – for bulldozer.
Tommy Nelson sent me a great book called Big Trucks, about these mighty machine friends. It is a touch and feel book so it is helpful when teaching toddlers about tactile and touch and feel things.
I love the touch and feel aspect of this book, but also the encouragement between the main characters and the fact that they work together..
As soon as the box came to our porch, we opened it up, and have read it several times already. And now the younger is showing the older all about the touch and feel parts.
Great book for toddler (boys, especially)
Do you want to read this with your toddler – You can win one. What was the first fun thing your child would say?
Thanks Tommy Nelson. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | Sep 26, 2018 | Books
Edited books are fun. Here’s why. You get so many different perspectives in one book. Usually the authors are coming from one point of view or worldview.
This book, edited by John MacArthur, such a scholar and pastor for decades, is all about the Kingship of Jesus. Covers many topics and all grounded in Scripture. Not just tagging a Scripture, but grounding their conclusions in the Word of God.
Since you do have so many personalities in the writing, I found some of the book to be haughty in its language, tone, and how it applied the Word. But, other parts I felt were winsome and engaging.
If you need a book to help you through maybe a time of the liturgical calendar year, to focus on King Jesus, this would be a helpful one. And it would make you think and get to know your own way you can be winsome and engaging with the authority of Jesus.
Thanks to Moody Publishers for sending me this book to review. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | Aug 29, 2018 | Books, Uncategorized
Partnering with Audra Jennings to bring you a review of Homespun.
I’ve really liked some Amish fiction over the years, probably ever since college when I toured the Indiana Amish country during a friend’s wedding. Simplicity and faith and order and quiet. Those were pretty intriguing to a 20 year old.
Homespun is a book filled with hospitality, family, friendship, community, faith, and a host of other topics. All written by women who are in the Amish or Mennonite communities. These are not fiction, which I love.
I really felt like I was sitting down with many of these authors and having coffee or swinging on a porch swing in the Autumn air. Just chatting, hearing their hearts – and much of their heart is the same things that find their root in my heart.
If you love memoir type books or biographical essays – I think you’ll really enjoy this book.
by Kimberly | Aug 21, 2018 | Books
Meal times at our house aren’t where I want them – but nor are they are bad as they once were.
AD
I remember when our older was little, we’d spend every night sweeping up the crumbs on the floor thinking this season would last forever. Then we had a second little boy. So, the season stretched on.
But, then you know what, they learn how to eat. Now, we seldom have to sweep the floor, though my husband is gracious and sweeps our eating area!
Now, we don’t have to deal with messes all the time, but instead we are teaching our boys how to have conversation at the table, no burping at the table, not to try to be silly and make the other one laugh at the table, how to sit and wait for everyone to finish or not start until every one sits down, not to bring toys to the table.
Instead, we want our table to be a life-giving spot. A spot to talk, enjoy good food, talk about our days, share life together. We’ll get there. Its not where I want it to be – but we can take steps every meal to get there, right?
Do you have any tips on how to make meal times
better with young school age kids?
Tommy Nelson sent me this book about dinosaurs and dinner. Yes, I thought it was a perfect book for our family because sometimes we have dinosaurs at the dinner table with us. In this book the author talks about shopping for food, the health benefits of certain foods, eating foods you may not like, setting the table, eating everything and not burping, and enjoying the food.
So, if your kids love dinosaurs and you want a book about how to eat at the dinner table – then this book is for you. You can win a copy of this book for yourself. Just tell me
What is your child’s favorite meal?
What meal will they gobble up and ask for seconds and want every meal?
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!
