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.

Goodnight 2018

  I'm not going to say goodbye or good riddance to 2018.  I'm just going to say goodnight.  I have learned a lot this year and although a majority of it was not positive I appreciate the good experiences I had.

  I will say goodnight as I put the memories to rest.  I will say goodnight because I will not forget but will move on towards the future.  I will say goodnight because when I woke up I made some really good friends along the way.

  2018 you didn't have to be so rough but I guess I needed some lessons taught, learn to be humble, learn to trust friends and learn that I am stronger then I think.

 2019 I ask that you be gentle.  I will follow your lead but I also know I need to eventually take my own path.  I look forward to be a stronger individual both mentally, physically and emotionally!  I know I will be a better person at the end.

 For 2019 I want to continue on my path of health and fitness.  I want to continue to volunteer when I can. I want to be a positive role model for my kids. As well as continue to grow in my faith.  I want to be happier and I am in charge of that!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you follow me into the new year and enjoy my journey. I look forward to hearing your adventures too and we can motivate each other.

Motivation Decorations

  Its time to talk about decorations!  We all have different styles and a personal preference to textures, patterns and shapes but what we all like or could use is a little more motivation, inspiration or encouragement in our lives.  It might not even be for ourselves but for other family members or it's just a great saying in general that needs to be posted.

   I found several choices at artsyolive.com!  This site was easy to navigate and whether your looking for a biblical message or a motivating quote they both are available.  There are even some personalized prints available.

  I like that your not only able to personalize a print but, that your also able to select a frame.

I had the choice of a couple frames and I chose the basic black frame.  It was a thick durable frame

It even came with it's own hardware which is nice for hanging it up in a timely manner instead hunting for the pieces.

The packaging was thorough to include packing peanuts as well to keep my print safe. 

I am completely satisfied with this product and service.  The whole experience was easier then i thought.  I think the hardest decision was which print to select and the frame.  I chose this print because I liked the phrase as well as the colors on it.  

Delivery was fast and I actually even had a follow up email to ensure I did want the passage on the bottom.  There is still time to order yours in time for a gift for this holiday season as well.  Feel free to use code Blog15 for a 15% discount!  This code is available through the 30th of this month.  While your waiting for your print you can also try your luck with this giveaway! Click here for that! 

I was provided a complimentary item for review purposes.  However all opinions stated were 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.

Decorating with Encouragement and Giveaway

  Who doesn't need inspiration or encouragement along the way in this journey of life.  I love to see biblical quotes, psalms and encouraging words on items we can use.

  Gone are the days of posters and bumper stickers being the only object to hold words.  Now we can sport our favorite saying on a t-shirts, phone cases and pillows! Pronetowanderla has endless products to help you grow with God and be encouraged. They provided me complimentary items but my review is honest and all statements are my own.

  I love that I can see beautiful words on the back of my phone as it sits beside me.

  Words hung next to my desk to put me at ease or help me get through the day.

  A beautiful statement pillow tossed on a bed be it mine or a guest room.

  I selected the canvas banner and pillowcase above.  Both of my items were grey in color and will compliment any room or color pattern!  I love the font and size of the letters because it had a fun modern feel to it. The canvas was thick and durable and quality made.  It looks like it will last a while!

  Prone to Wander is having a giveaway enter here for your chance to win a set of 3 phone cases.  Don't stop there though take a look at all their items and add to your home or shop for a gift!

  Thank you Prone to Wander for some beautiful items and for the future encouragement it will provide me daily as I pass by the items.

  What are some of your favorite inspirational quotes or bible quotes?

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? 

Monday Motivation (hair)

 

  So a few weeks ago I wanted to start learning to style my daughters hair and this past week I finally worked on that.

  Although the sky is the limit when it comes to styles I would really like to learn more.  I am at a very basic knowledge of hair styles but, with practice I know I can improve.

The first day I kept it simple.  Two knots on each side of her head.  She even came home with them in place! She said everyone called her Princess Leia.

Next was the bow.  I have done this style a couple times before. It's definitely a favorite of mine as its just cute!

This style I would like to try again.  I saw it and thought it looked easy and it has potential just may need to practice some more.  The sides twisted was pretty and even wrapping the hair around the ponytail was classy but, I want the twist more obvious.

I saw a blogger recently who went to a Star Wars event with this style for Rey!  I knew I could pull this off.  She was only missing the bottom of this after school.

  

Lastly, day 5 was a sweeping braid.  I can do only a simple braid so even wrapping it around her head was uncharted territory.  I really liked how this looked and would like to master this look. I only finished it off on the side with a clip.

There's my 5 days of girls hairstyles.  I look forward to trying more but this was a jump start in motivating me.  She liked the new styles.  She enjoyed the change of wearing it down all the time I guess.  So I need to continue doing at least something.  

Week 5 Goals

  I may not do a lot on Sundays but, I set time aside to set my goals for the week.  Last week I did pretty good in the fitness department having attended 6 different classes but missed the goal of 50 miles.  I will not be to hard on myself as I stayed active and discovered some great classes.

This week I would still like to shot for that 50 miles because with a little bit better planning on my part it can get done.

I can cycle 12 miles in 35 minutes so with a combination of other cardio or just 5 days of cycling I can do 50 miles! I can't get miles from swimming but enjoy that and rowing machine just requires me to calculate meters.  It is possible but I need to be focused.

I want to start focusing on setting that time aside to read.  I want to be done with book 3 that I'm still on and done with 4 this week.  So that I can at least start book 5 on week 5!

I did make fudge last week but would like to make a snack.  Something for everyone to munch on during the week.

  I wasn't planning meal prep this week but, I did pick up some spinach so I will plan on salads this week.

So we have:
1. Fitness
2. Book
3. Snack
4. Meal prep
5. I'll clean......the oven. Uggg!

Alright  I'm going to stop there. You know I like 5 things for 5 days!   Good luck with your new week.  I hope your goals are reasonable and you don't become overwhelmed with them and not enjoy life.

Have a good week!

Week 4 Recap

Well I did better in some areas then others but, sometimes goals don't always get met.  When that's the case things just get rolled to the next week.  Hopefully you catch up and eventually if nothing else.

    I attended 6 different classes this week so my miles goal were not met. I only made 38.02 miles for my cardio miles this week. 

I attended boxing, power, and kettle bells classes.  I also took a line dancing, Zumba, and Mixxedfit dancing classes as well.

I did slide in some time with weights and cardio but because I didn't physically get on machine I don't have the miles even though maybe some of those dance classes could have been miles by the time class was over.

I did pretty good with adding an extra water to my routine this week.  By the time summer gets here in should be in a good routine for keeping myself hydrated.

I did meal plan on Monday.  A chicken bowl with carrots, salsa, black beans, corn, couscous and some cheese.

I didn't style my daughters hair other then a braid.  So I'll give myself a half point for that.  I wanted to try something different.

I made a snack/dessert.  It can be eaten anytime so it falls into each category.

Chocolate Peanut butter Fudge!

I was happy picky eaters even liked it. P.S. it had banana in it too!

New recipe goes to the pork lion I made in the crockpot!

I did clean my fridge too. So I'm happy with that.  Now I need to find another spot to clean that I have neglected.

I hope everyone had a good week.  Take tomorrow off to prepare for a new week!

Monday Motivation

We live in a picture perfect world. 

  I think we survive on motivation. Motivation doesn't just come from within.  It comes from what we see.  What we feel and what we want.

We push ourselves for success. 

We don't have to see the top of that hill. 

We know it's there! So we keep heading in that direction.

Sometimes its for the challenge.  We know we may get dirty.

However we still do what it takes!

It doesn't matter what we are working towards or what drives us.  All that matters is we keep going.  We can enjoy the present but, we will always have the future.

We can't see it and we don't know how far it is but, we move.  We move by motivation.  Motivation to live and survive.

Weekly Goals

  Last week didn't end to bad.   My meal plan was followed except for the last day.  I managed to come up with a new week and reduce it by a couple days to eat up leftovers!  I did catchup on some surveys.  Donated old clothes to the thrift store and am slowly chugging through my book.  Those darn pictures are still on my phone and accumulating more at a slow rate.


  New this week:

1.  I'm shooting to be half done with my book!

2.  Dump those pictures! Whatever will happen when this goal is complete?

3.   I want to engage more on a daily basis with others! So everyday I will like and comment on followers that I don't already comment engage with.

4.  I ran almost 5 miles today I would like to get 25 miles total in for the rest of the week!

5.  Shooting for another week ahead in my meal plans!

Did you see my dinner last night?  It was delicious!

  What is one goal that never seems to be completed?  Do you have a deadline this week that your working towards?