God I Know You're There (book review and giveaway)

   I have another great childrens book to share with you!  God I Know You're There by Bonnie Rickner Jensen.  This book was such a cute book!  I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.  The pictures were adorable and the words simple and touching.

  With the turn of each page the picture was brought to life by the words describing the presence of God. 

  Gods presence can be seen and felt throughout all the aspects of nature.  A rainbow, the wind and even the rain.  This story allows the imagination to see that God is by your side regardless of the day, weather or season. 

  Learning about God and following him is hard when you can't see him nor understand the concept but this book is a nice stepping stone.

  Now is your chance to try your luck at winning a copy for yourself! Enter the giveaway here!

  I enjoyed the words on each page as much as the pictures.  This book overall was one of my favorites.  Its such a fun and relaxed read.  Younger kids can understand the points on each page and its easy to translate for kids if they have questions.  This is an easy read board book. Beginner readers can read this book

  I received this book complimentary for review purposes.  All comments and opinions are my own. 

Love Does for Kids (book review)

  I forgot all about sharing this great book my daughter and I read together with you!  We recently finished reading Love Does for kids by Bob Goff and Lindsey Goff Viducich.

  This book was the perfect spring board into conversations about everything and anything.  We talked about how people would have felt based on the authors experience as well as discussed the lesson learned.

  The questions at the end and scenes from the bible all tied the chapters together.  Each chapter though however still led to another discussion which made this book a great read.

  My daughter is in elementary school and could easily read the chapters.  She really enjoyed the different chapters and it made her think. She liked the challenges of figuring out how she could relate the chapters read into her present life.

  "If you've been cut or bruised or if your feelings have been hurt, Jesus is like a doctor who lives on your block. He's nearby if you need Him. Just call His name and He'll come to you, sit at your table, and heal you in ways only He can."

  This was an excellent book and my daughter and I recommend you add this to your bookshelf.  I could see even visiting this book years later because she will have had different experiences and have a different perspective.  I received this book complimentary for review purposes and all opinions provided are solely mine.

How Do You Say Goodnight? (book review and giveaway)

  I'm back with another kids book review.  This book is perfect for the younger kids.  Tonight's book is How do you Say Goodnight?  This book is a fun journey following a young zebra named Zoey as she checks out how her other animal friends say goodnight.

  She stops and observes the nighttime routine of various animals.  How do elephants say goodnight, lions or even monkeys?

  Do they pray, give thanks or brush their teeth?  This book is great because just like us we all have a different routine.  Baths, stories, and prayer time are only part of a goodnight ritual as Zoey learns.  She also accepts that all of them are equally nice and hers is just fine too.

  How do you say goodnight? How do you praise or pray before bed?

  This board book offers little hands a great grip and the illustration is so fun.  I enjoy animals and to incorporate them into a book about bedtime routines is something anyone can relate to.

  Here's a chance to add this book to your home library.  Checkout the giveaway here!

  This was another great book.  My kids enjoyed the book and it's easy to follow along.  A great book to start a conversation leading into dedicating a  few minutes to God every night.

  I received this product complimentary for review purposes and all opinions are my own.

The Cow Said Neigh! A Farm Story (book review)

  I know your looking for a fun new book to share with your kids!  I have just read and shared with a few of my little friends The Cow Said Neigh!  A Farm Story by Rory Feek!  This is the book you have been looking for to add to your childrens collection.

  The animals on the farm all seem to envy other animals and to take on the appreciation and admiration they speak the appropriate voice of said animal!

  This book became a quick favorite here!  The storyline is so fun and easy to follow it's a great book for younger kids to enjoy as well as early elementary.

  After a few animals have said the wrong noise you will have the attention of everyone.  The illustration was bold and fun.  The colored pages keep the story engaging.

My kids enjoyed this book and are so excited to share the giveaway link with you here!

Of course everyone can't be a winner so after you purchase your own copy print some of these color pages!

As always thank you for reading my review.  This copy was provided to me complimentary but all opinions and comments are solely my own.

Week 11 Recap and New Goals

  I ran errands and took it easy this week. As I write that it's funny to think I was home a lot and away at the same time.  Have you ever had one of those weeks?  Have you ever been not sure what you actually accomplished because you were busy the whole time?

  Goals last week were started but, not accomplished.

Book 7 is almost done.  I'm about 50 pages to completion.  New book is ready to go!

Clothes are in progress of being gone through.  I have started with my kids first. Its easier to get rid of their stuff then to go through my own.  Clothes with holes, too small and under appreciated (not worn) are being removed.

  I didn't see a pamper day but, I did go out to eat last week, had birthday cake and pie for pi day so I'll fill that into that spot.  Dessert and dinner out is kind like a treat and treats are like pampering, right?

  No cardio outside or inside this week. I skipped the gym all week. It could have happened a couple times I suppose but I just didn't make time for it.  Don't ever make an excuse; just own it.


 Here's to a new week:

Start on to book number 8!

Continue on with going through clothes. 

10 cardio miles outside! I'm going to aim for jogging over cycling because cycling 10 miles would be too easy.

 I need to get a few posts completed to schedule for upcoming busy weeks.

  I'm throwing in a mandatory pamper day!  There's no excuse to not have one.  I know I will feel good for at least that moment in time!

  What do you have planned for the upcoming week?  Are you already organized and know what needs to be done?
 

Girlboss (book review)

  On my journey to read 50 books for the year I want to pause and tell you how much I appreciated #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso!  She is the founder and CEO of NastyGal. Nasty Gal really meant nothing to me before (I hope I'm not the only one) I read the book but, while reading it and hearing the story of how it was born I had to check it out.

    I picked up this book due to the popularity around it (Instagram). After waiting a few weeks on the wait list at my library it was mine.  It is an easy read and I finished it in a day! Easy to finish in one day (if you didn't have my kids, have to cook, be responsible for long periods of time).

  The book is broken down into 11 chapters ranging from how she began, to how she survived to owning her individuality.  She provides her perspective!

Now that you mention it.  I bet money does look better on the bank but, to confirm that I'm going to have to try it first! Is it a certain amount or any amount?

Take care of your business. Don't worry about what someone else is doing.  Sophia says, "Fight for your idea.  Take the spirit with you to whatever job you're doing!" P.S. I like this quote she has from Abraham Lincoln (even though after research I couldn't confirm it).  The thought of the word hustle beginning back then makes me laugh.

I know we could look up motivational quotes online but, it's just better to find them randomly and appropriately placed in this book.  The make just as much as an impact as her encouraging words.

If I owned this book I would have highlighted many passages (there is a workbook though).  I have no desire to be an entrepreneur or run a company in any capacity but, I am walking away from this book feeling better having read it.  

I haven't gotten a chance to watch the series on Netflix yet (as suggested) but, I will.  It would be nice to see the lady behind the book.  I would actually go to stand in line for a meet and greet!

Do you believe in magic? 

Week 9 Recap and New Goals

 Grab your drink of choice and start your to do list for the week!

Last weeks goals were not that difficult so why did I not succeed?

Because life happens and sometimes you just forget. You live in the moment and do something at hand. So let's try again.

1.  Freezer wasn't done last week so I'll roll it onto this week.  It's not really dirty as much as I want to get the ice build up removed.

2.  I didn't get any outside cardio time in.  I still hit the gym and exercised on some indoor cardio but I didn't get any fresh air.

3. I did finish book 5. Finally!  So on to number 6!

4.  I don't have a current dinner mealplan ready yet but, another breakfast mealplan is ready and will be posted tomorrow.

The crepes I made were a hit with the family!


  I am extra motivated after a few good things happening last week and carrying over into this week.  Good luck to everyone else on your upcoming week.

Happy Easter book (review and giveaway)

  Easter will be here soon and I'm usually a little more prepared for this celebration then most other holidays!  In our house we give a combination of candy, and non-edible items such as chalk in the Easter baskets.  This book fits perfectly into that option if you also give gifts.  Keep reading because after the review you will get a chance to participate in a giveaway for this book!

 A Very Happy Easter Prayer book by Bonnie Rickner Jensen would be a great addition to your Easter gifts.  This board book is perfect for children.  It's full of bright, fun pages and the sparkle on the cover is a great invitation for kids to open and explore the pages.

Each page is filled with animals playing in various springtime images.  The animals are enjoying nature and what's around them now that the snow and cold weather is gone.  Think of picnics, puddle jumping and busy bees.

  Each page has a short easy to read passage for beginner readers to read themselves.  The rhyming passages are fun and circle around birds chattering, frogs and flowers.

  You can interact with your kids on each page no matter the age.  What animals do they see?  How many caterpillars?  What color is the picnic blanket? 

  This book will delight children on Easter morning!  What better way to start the morning with candy munching and book reading.

Lucky for you! You now get the chance to win your own book! Enter here for this giveaway!

  I was provided this book complimentary for review purposes.  All opinions are my own.

Week 8 Recap and New Goals

  Is it the end or just a new beginning?  Another week down!  Looking back at my goals I did ok.

1.Finish 2 books.
Nope not yet, I'm still working on Monday's Lie! This is week 9 and I'm on book 5.  I really need to get a move on.

2. Fitness. I did 33 miles in a combination of walking, elliptical and spin bike. I didn't take 4 classes only 3 this week. TRX, Barre and Mixxedfit.

3. Forgot about that freezer!

4.  I did make granola!  We had it as part of breakfast with yogurt on Friday as well as a snack.

New Goals

1. Freezer!  Since I dropped the ball last week. 

2.  Finish THE BOOKS is it more serious if I put it in caps?

3.  The weather is getting nicer outside I would like to get out and walk or jog or cycle. I don't remember the weather so I'm not going to out a number down. 

4.  Set up meal plan for a couple weeks! What's for dinner tomorrow ?  I don't know.  What's for breakfast?  There's almost always cereal!

  The banana muffins were good and appreciated last week.  I was planning on blueberry this week!

   Alright everyone! Good luck on what you accomplished last week and what you still need to do this week. 

STEM in Session

What is STEM?

Science
Technology
Engineering
Mathematics


  STEM is a learning with a concentration in these four areas.  It's a program used in all areas and levels of education.  My kids because they are younger enjoy this program at their library.

  The STEM program at the library starts out with a book that will give a preview of what will be learned that day.

The kids were able to experience snow, cold and winter in this STEM event.

We measured each other with mittens.

Made igloos or snow castles out of foam blocks and shaving cream.

A sensory bin is always present.  It's a big hit with my kids.

I like the endless possibilities that can be used in a sensory bin! This one used rice and had a scale for the kids to play with.

The science of ice and salt impressed my son.

His expression is priceless!  

Do your kids like Science or Math?  Do you enhance their love or learning of either?

Week 8 Goals

  Let's get ambitious this week and aim high!  No, don't we do that already? 

1.  Finish 2 books!

2.  Fitness: 25 miles, 4 classes

I like TRX I just struggle with the time.  I like all types of cardio but, to meet 25 miles of accountability I need to stick to machines because I don't have a fitbit, lol.  So if I choose to swim or even dancing those are free unaccounted for steps/miles 

3.  Cleaning: freezer

4.  Make a snack for the week.  I'm thinking granola this week! This is my favorite recipe.


  I'll stop at 4!   Anything after that will just be a freebie!

  Good luck on your new week. A new week is a clean slate!  Full of new opportunities and possibilities! Challenge yourself and be kind to yourself.