S Club Mama

I have reviewed a few Graham Blanchard books by Callie Grant before so I figured I would like these new books as well. "Jesus Saves Me," "Little Seed: A Life," and "Close as Breath" will be available February 1, 2014 so this little sneak peek is perfect for you to consider including these books in an Easter basket or an anytime gift. From the information sent to me: " Jesus Saves Me ," from the Knowing My God series, is a learn book, which features photography paired with John 10:14-16, Jesus’ own words to a child’s life. The book’s main theme, Jesus as the Good Shepherd, is a simple and engaging introduction to the Lord’s mission on Earth and the reason for Easter Celebration. " Close As a Breath ," an absorb book, captures a young girl’s magical fall day out with her dad. Along the way, she peppers her father with questions about the natural world and ultimately about God. Graham Blanchard calls such questions “golden moments...

I'd never read anything about Adventures in Odyssey or listened to the program before reading "The Redcoats are Coming!" by Marianne Hering and Nancy I. Sanders. I plan to now. It seems like a really neat concept to teach children history and how that history ties in with our Christian faith. In this book, cousins Patrick and Beth go back to the turmoil leading up to the Revolutionary War. They must complete this mission: get a letter to Paul Revere. I learned about the codes used by Patriots to gain trust and musket balls. The cousins met all sorts of famous patriots: John Hancock and Samuel Adams. But do they get the letter to Revere??? I guess you'll have to read to find out. I will probably try out some of the Adventures in Odyssey programs by borrowing them from our local library before buying them, but when my kids get more into chapter books, I plan on getting some of these Imagination Station books. They are easy to read with historical concepts that they ...

That's right, I talked to a celebrity's mom! I had the opportunity to spend a few minutes on the phone with Pattie Mallette, Justin Bieber's mom. I'll admit it was a little weird for me, more because it was me asking her questions. I haven't done an interview since I worked on the college newspaper! It was really fun to hear her perspective on her son, too. The only time we really hear from celebrity parents is in a negative sense - court battles, drinking problems, etc. So it's so nice to hear about a mom who has worked hard in her own life (check out her new book about her struggles to overcome child abuse, a suicide attempt, and how she came to know God). Pattie's foundation, Round 2, is in its start-up stages but is planning big things for this coming year. Round 2 is based upon the premise that if you get knocked down in the first round of life, there's always Round 2. It's focus is on helping others overcome abuse, suicide attempts, poverty,...

This cartoon is via Bryce Morgan, pastor and author/illustrator of Captain Sun . Captain Sun is a superhero comic book that teaches about Christ - perfect for kids like my own boys who LOVE superheroes!

Yesterday at church, our children sang a few Christmas songs. Squirt's class sang The Friendly Beasts (which my MIL had informed us the day prior was a Peter, Paul, & Mary tune...who knew?). Then Moose's class joined them. After his few (loud) whispers of "hi, Steve Rogers [Captain America's alter ego]" and copied shushing [to me], the classes sang a version of Joy to the World. Then the littles departed and left the big kids to sing and sign We Three Kings. Very good signing and I was very proud of my boys. Squirt for not bursting out in tears (which he looks like he'll do each time he's in front of a crowd) and Moose for keeping his hands out of his pants (an on-going problem, although his belly made a few appearances). Then about 5 kids took part, front and center stage, to share some of their memory verses from this semester. Moose was last. He said 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstance,...

The first thing I noticed about The Wayfinding Bible is its clean look. It's white and has bright colors on the cover so it just looks clean cut. I like that! BUT the inside has so much more (of course)! The Wayfinding Bible has 3 reading schedules to help readers navigate God's Word. The routes are The Flyover Route (54 readings that take you through a chronological overview of the Bible), The Direct Route (215 readings that help you "gain a full perspective of the entire Bible and how it fits together), and The Scenic Route (386 readings that take you more in-depth through the Bible, reading "through well-known and not-so-well-known passages). Each route is clearly marked at the top of the pages, showing you where you're reading and where to go next. It's pretty simple if you pay attention. There are other features in this Bible that I've enjoyed. The introductions to books are really good to help you understand who wrote them and why. The "Get...

My sister and I were big fans of Creed back when "Arms Wide Open" hit the airwaves. I wasn't living a Christian lifestyle then but thought I was (ha) and was really attracted to a mainstream Christian band like them. Well, little did I know until reading " Sinner's Creed " by Scott Stapp that they weren't a Christian band! I was really surprised to read that! I didn't know there were any internal band problems until the band broke up - I heard that Stapp had lost his faith and was partying. I was really disappointed (talk about the pot calling the kettle black at this point in time) in him. Of course, the tabloids and such had it wrong. They weren't a Christian band, there were problems from being labeled as that, Stapp wasn't living a righteous life for most of the band's popularity (main stream popularity). I thought "Sinner's Creed" was a really inviting book, very open to Stapp's upbringing filled with abando...

My winner is again, Ryan C , for the Son of God book giveaway. You all are missing out on some neat things here. I do have some more giveaways up my sleeve for the next few months so keep checking the blog for details.

I have a confession but first promise you won't hate me when I say this... okay... here it goes... I LOVE THE BUSYNESS OF THE SHOPPING AT MALLS & STORES THIS TIME OF THE YEAR! Oh dear, you hate me now huh? You hate the hustle and bustle don't you? That's ok. I think it's odd I like it. But I love crowds (as long as I don't feel I'm being embarrassed or talked about or something)! I love being around people. However, even after I've had an amazing weekend with girlfriends away from home spent shopping, laughing, shopping, laughing, talking, cuddling a cute baby, watching a strange movie, talking about our proposals and families and husbands and kids and pasts and weddings and dates and God and struggles and everything, laughing more, eating too much candy, staying up WAY too late (college late)....I know the hustle and bustle isn't what this season isn't about. Don't believe me? Read this .

I was reading Ephesians 2 this morning and got through to chapter 10 when I was hit with conviction. "For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,  so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." This small, still voice inside said, "and those good things are not measured by your weight or pant size." Whoa! That voice (the Holy Spirit for those unfamiliar) stopped me in my tracks. I've been upset lately about pants being tighter (thanks Thanksgiving dinner and my lack of self-control, which is an issue but one I'm working on) and scale numbers being higher. But in reality, does it matter? Sure, God wants us to take care of our bodies and respect the place His Spirit dwells (if you've accepted Christ as your Savior). We are not called to be gluttonous or lazy or to sacrifice our health, but we are also not judged on our size or weight or muscle tone or athletic accomplishments. We are judged by our sins a...

Congratulations to Ryan C who won my giveaway for the new National Geographic TV show Church Rescue . Ryan has been notified via email. Congratulations and thanks for entering. Don't forget to enter my giveaway for the copy of " A Story of Christmas and All of Us ," a companion to the new Son of God movie. Giveaway ends December 9.