New Year New Memories (discount included)

   It's a new year almost (few hours left to go).  What are your plans?  Do you start in January to save for a winter vacation?  Do you plan activities and trips within a few months out?  Well it is never to early to look into how to make memories with your family.  Start planning your family fun with a trip to see the Harlem Globetrotters!

  With a 14 day advance purchase you can save 25% with code FUNFAM!  Do you know what that means? Plan a day out with your family! Save money. Make memories.  Enjoy your time!

  I have not been to a show in years and am looking forward to taking my youngest kids to their first game.  I know they will keep their eyes glued as they watch players do their dribble tricks, spin a ball on their finger and harass those refs!

  When is the last time you saw the Globetrotters?  Will this be the first time you have seen them?  Do you go every year?

   Either way let a trip to this event be included in your memories for the 2020 year!  Click here to save NOW!

    As always only sharing my opinions and comments. Said comments and opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.

I am Brave ( book review and giveaway)

  I appreciate a good, motivating book for myself.  One I can look at for inspiration, answers and even jot notes in.  A book I can come back to and see how I have grown as a person and grown in my faith.  I was extremely excited to be given the opportunity to provide my daughter with an age appropriate book offering her the same opportunity.

  I am Brave by Thomas Nelson is a book geared to 8-12 year old girls.  Its a great book that helps girls growing in their faith and following God.  This book encourages the reader with various prompts to include questions and quizzes.  A little food for thought in determining a better situation, another perspective or an end result of FUN.

  There is a Brave Girl series which I was only aware of after this book but, all the girls are introduced in this book and a picture of them on each page.  After reading about all of them you feel a little more connected and familiar with the characters as they grace the pages throughout the book.

  My daughter found this book to be a great addition to her book collection.  She is able to read and follow the directions.  She is leaving her mark on the pages as she answers them according to her at the present time.  It will be fun to look back on when shes older.

 The pages also contain verses and prayers and she is able to reflect on this during her day.  This book provides her with a window of positive reinforcement!

  This book is available for purchase on Amazon here.  Perfect for a holiday gift, birthday or just because!

 Of course purchasing the book is a given after you have tried your luck with the giveaway here!  If you win just think of it as 2 for the price of 1!

  I was provided this book complimentary for review purposes but all opinions and comments are my own.

The Tiny Truths (book review and giveaway)

  Once upon a time there was a story.  A story that is not easy to read as a child but, just as important and holds great stories and words of wisdom that a child too should read and hear about.  The Tiny Truths by Joanna Rivard and Tim Penner is that such book. 

 This book is an easy to read condensed bible for kids.  It offers great and fun illustrations as well as stories we grew up listening to as a child.  This book is over 200 pages in length but includes the Old and New Testament.

What was your favorite story as a child?  

The snake and the apple?

The ark?

How big was that fish?

The story of Jesus?

All these stories and more are included in this illustrated bible.  The pictures are so fun and inviting for children.  This bible was an easy read for my child.  She appreciates being able to grab a book, find a corner and read to herself.  She also loves when she hears a familiar story at church; one that's shes already read or is familiar with.

Now is your chance for this book to become part of your home collection.  Enter the giveaway here!

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

A Good Read with a Sequin Sparkle and Change Bible (review)

  Sometimes when you find a good thing, it's hard to improve.  Take for example the bible.  The story never changes and it doesn't need to but,  now the cover is fair game.

  

This cover is the perfect invitation.  You want to flip the sequins but, you want to dig into the various stories too.  

Check out this link because there are two different covers to choose from! https://youtu.be/kC4VFPhZqvU

This bible is easy to read and follow as the font is large!  Easy fun pages to engage the child as they read.

This bible is great quality.  The hard cover will keep those pages safe. My daughter enjoys it because she is spending more time with her bible and likes the modern trend of sequins on it.

Its definitely a show stopper.  No one in her class at church has this bible which makes it extra fun. However you can try your luck with the giveaway and bring a little sparkle and change to your child's bible study time.

https://www.blessedfreebies.com/sparkleandchangebible.html

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.

Devotions book with a Flip (review)

  I read a variety of books and love to add some motivating books into the mix to keep me going.  God plus motivation makes for a good read.

  I just recently finished my complimentary copy of Always Enough Never Too Much by Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan.  This book is full of devotions to encourage you to quit comparing and be comfortable with where you are and even who you are.

  This book offers a fun spin in reading it's contents by offering 50 devotions then requiring you to flip the book and reading the other 50.

 The Always Enough side will help you when your feeling insecure. It provides a reminder from Jesus and everything starts with even if or even when.  For example even when you feel behind or even when you feel stuck.

 The Never Too Much devotions work on soothing you if your too emotional. Take this inspiration to use how you were created by God.  Even when you're busy or even if you have a ton of kids.

 Each author takes turns providing a peek into their life and then justify the path that was followed, accepting what was done and accepting the faults or the individual experience.  I like that it's pointed out that God has made us unique and each of our lives is not a carbon copy.  It's comforting to know God uses us to change us.

  This was a great book.  I don't highlight my books because I hate to write in them but, if I did there would be a lot of highlights in this book.

Enter here for your chance to win a copy of this book!


  This review is my personal opinion. All comments are my own and honest.

Born to Wander (review)

  Where are you going? Where have you been?  Born to Wander by Michelle Van Loon will take you on a path reflecting on your own journey.  I was provided this book complimentary for review purposes and all opinions are my own.

  I found this book easy to read and enjoy.

This book wandered with me everywhere including the pool until I was done with it!

This book contains 11 chapters including questions after each chapter encouraging you to consider what you read, your current life situation and ending with a prayer.  

Some chapters may mean more to you then others.  I had a few similarities with the author.  Each chapter titled gives you an appropriate taste of what you will read.  

Chapter 1: Uprooted

Chapter 2: Sent

Chapter 3: Waylaid

Chapter 4: Displaced

Etc........

We wander all the time.  Not just moving from one home to another but, in our jobs, with our friends and sometimes from one church to another.

Some moves may have been on purpose others on accident or coincidentally but, it's natural to wander.  We are in charge of our own happiness and in searching for the best fit, the happy life, satisfaction we wander.

The author adds an appropriate passage from the Bible or a story not just her own of a particular scenario to bring relevance to the chapter.

A copy of Born to Wander could be yours! Enter the giveaway

here.

This would be a perfect book for your small group book club.  Use the questions provided in the back for group discussion.  Wandering is so natural and common that this is a book anyone can read and walk away from with a different perspective.

  I felt this was a great book and as stated earlier all opinions and comments are my own.

Gun Love (book review)

  A book is never just a book.  What makes you select a book? The cover? The summary? The author?  Every once and awhile I step outside of my comfort zone and choose an unknown book. A surprise book.

  My surprise book was Gun Love by Jennifer Clement.  Read more about the author here.

  The story centers around a single mom (Margot) raising her daughter (Pearl) out of a car parked at a trailer park in Florida.  The community of neighbors are definitely some characters to say the least.   In the story you follow the mom and daughters daily routine their interaction with the neighbors and you get an idea of their environment they live in to include the trailer park and their car.

    She left home young with good intentions to raise her daughter better then she had been raised but also knew living in the car was not much better.  Life in a car went years unnoticed or rectified.  It made me think of how many things do I just walk by because it's been the same for so long.

  I enjoyed all the descriptive details.  There was a two headed alligator, a blue opals ring, and even barbie dolls buried up to their heads! I think the author did a amazing job creating a picture for the whole book.


  I enjoyed the book, the ending was not my favorite but, you win some and you lose some.  This book without being labeled as a true story could so easily be the life of anyone.

   It's a book that will make you think. Not about what you can do necessarily but a book to make you appreciate your present situation.  Or maybe it is a book that encourages you to open your eyes and see where you can help.  To learn more about this book or for purchase information check here.

   I received this book complimentary for review purposes from Blogging for Books and the review and opinions stated are my own.
 

Tasting Thursday (coconut chips)

Back with another tasting today.  My daughter has grown to like this activity.  She asks what the treat is for the week and reminds me when Thursday is coming up.

I picked up another treat from Dollar Tree.  It's not that I frequent the store that often; it's just luck of the draw when I remember to grab something.

I brought up the idea of sampling all the food in the produce section but, she didn't like that idea.

Today we sampled Coconut!  I have used coconut in baking so it's a taste the kids have had.  It's hit or miss depending on how it's used.

These coconut chips were purchased for $1.00.  These coconut chips are by the brand Real Coco.  I bought the original flavor but am interested in what else is available. The bag was 1.43 oz and it was filled!  Might I add it was filled with a lot of air so definitely packed for safety. Plus if you like coconut the smell is amazing.

These little chips are crunchy to be expected but, the flavor is 100% coconut.  The chips sizes vary.  These are not the same size as a potato chips. They are more like shavings but each piece is delicious.

Check out the stats!

Did you know coconut is a good source of fiber?

My kids actually liked this snack. YEAH for their approval! They ate this straight from the bag but, think of the endless possibilities of snacking.  You could sprinkle these on anything or blend them into things. This is  definitely something we will buy again!

What have you snacked on this week? Have you tried anything new?

Ipsy Bag Review (March)

  A new month means a new bag! Boy Ipsy really brought it this month.  I love the create your own bag this month.  What a fun way for us all to get a little creative.  When your supplied with a canvas and markers you feel compelled to get busy.

Now lets check out what was in my bag this month.

  First up a little bit of lip care!

This balm by Glossier is a tube full of fun and efficiency.  I received the coconut flavor but other flavors include: mint, original and Rose.  The scent is awesome and I love how smooth it makes my lips.

 Surprise there's an eyeliner in my bag.  I need to count all the eyeliners I have gotten since I started this subscription.

This sex kitten eyeliner by Tarte is in the shade of black.  It's a nice little pencil.  Providing the perfect grip for eye lining perfection.  I like to think Ipsy is trying to help me perfect that cat's eye.  Maybe it's not me but, the right eyeliner hasn't been given to me yet. Or maybe practice makes perfect.

 Does your lotion inspire you?

Words speak a thousand words.  Meet solutions for stressed skin.  This is Pure Cloud Cream by Skyn Iceland.    I don't care for the scent but, I like the light weight lotion. It's easy to rub in, absorbs immediately and is not greasy!

After you have taken care of your lips with that balm it's time to make them pop.

Apply some Unspoken lip veneer cream gloss by Kokie Cosmetics to do the trick.  I haven't tried this yet but, one claim is its not sticky! 

  There's always an occasion for gold!

  My last item was this eyeshadow by Hikari.  This cream pigment is a gorgeous color that holds the color solid.  This shade is shine! With all the rain and cold weather I think this is the perfect shade to warm things up!

  Each Ipsy bag comes with 5 products based on the answers to the profile questions.  I appreciate all products I get because it's usually a brand I have never tried. With these samples it's the perfect size to try it a few times and decide on a future purchase.

  This is the best $10 I can spend every month.  A little treat for myself.  Something to pamper myself with.  A product to give me some me time with.  Makeup can be a guilty pleasure right?