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Friday, June 28, 2013

Summer Safety Giveaway ends 7/19


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Summer Baby Safety Event

Organized by: Mom to Bed by 8 and Iowa Mom
The 2013 Summer Infant BabyTouch Color Video Monitor is the most innovative baby video monitor on the market. It features a revolutionary touch-screen controlled monitor, the first of its kind. Like many of the smart phones, simply touch the screen to control the monitor's pan, scan, zoom and brightness features. Two other great aspects include a stylish, magnetic docking station for the handheld unit and a wireless, rechargeable battery-powered dock for the camera. Another wonderful feature is the unique talk-back option, giving parents the ability to speak into the handheld monitor and have their voice projected through the camera. Expand the functionality of your Baby Touch Monitor by adding an additional camera for more viewing angles.

Baby Touch Digital Color Video Monitor Features

3.5" color LCD screen with automatic black & white night vision Touch-screen menu controls remote pan/scan/zoom feature, brightness and camera options 100% digital technology provides a secure and private connection up to 400' away Talk-back feature allows parents to talk to baby while in the nursery * Parent convenience features: battery pack for camera, recharging base for parent unit, 10-hour rechargeable battery, ability to add 3 additional cameras with auto-scan feature, auto time-out feature, LED sound lights, belt clip/flip stand and one-touch video on/off button for nighttime convenience

One lucky winner will a Summer Infant Baby Touch Digital Color Video Monitor!

Giveaway ends July 19th at 11:59pm, open US, Canadian and APO/FPO residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. For Him and My Family is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!
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Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Paige Torn by Erynn Mangum -Review CFBA

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Paige Torn
Think (May 1, 2013)
by
Erynn Mangum


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:





A few things about her: So, if we were having this conversation in person, we would probably be hanging out at Starbucks or one of the cute coffeehouses in town. I’m nuts about all things coffee, I’m crazy about all things pink and girly, and I love, love, love the Food Network! I’m married to my best friend and the most amazing guy ever, Jon. He is amiable toward coffee, does not like anything pink or girly and tolerates the Food Network. So, we make a good match! In July 2010, we became parents to one of the funniest, cutest, sweetest little guys in the whole world (and nope, we aren’t biased at all!), our Nater-Tot, who is legally known as Nathan. Most days, I’m cleaning up messes, making goofy faces, trying to fit some writing in, and just LOVING the life that God has given me!



ABOUT THE BOOK




Everyone knows they can count on Paige Alder. But between volunteering at church, putting in overtime at work, and helping her best friend plan an anniversary party, she's lucky to grab a cheese stick for dinner. Paige can't even remember the last time she had a few minutes to relax or dig into God's Word. Then she meets laid-back Tyler, an attractive, Jesus-loving guy. Will he be able to help Paige get her priorities on track?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Paige Torn, go HERE.

My thoughts:  I really wasn't sure what to think about this book when I first picked it up.  I knew I loved the authors name(being an Erin myself) and it sounded like a great book.  I mean really can't we all relate to someone who doesn't know how to say no and has her life totally scheduled full in her planner.  Or maybe that's just me. . . .  Needless to say, this book was great!  I loved it!  I think I learned a few things about how to say no myself and enjoying the time we have while we have it.




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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Good Eatin' Recipe Hop 6/25 #GoodEatinPL

 
Welcome to the Good Eatin' Recipe Hop
hosted by
The 'Pitch List' Bloggers

Every Tuesday you can join us to share great recipes.........
There are no specific themes. 
Add your recipe of choice to the linky.
No Giveaways Please...all giveaways will be removed.
We Love Comments! Please Share!



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Monday, June 24, 2013

Pieces of the Heart by Bonnie S. Calhoun -CFBA book review

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Pieces of the Heart
Abingdon Press (June 1, 2013)
by
Bonnie S. Calhoun


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bonnie S. Calhoun is Owner/Director of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, owner/publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Northeast Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), the ACFW ‘2011 Mentor of the Year,” President of (CAN) Christian Authors Network, and Appointment Coordinator for both the Colorado Christian Writers Conference (CCWC) and the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference(GPCWC).

For the last six years she has taught workshops in Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, and creating Social Media promotions at both CCWC, and GPCWC, and in 2011 at the Montrose, Pa Christian Writers Conference. She also taught a Facebook workshop at the 2012 ACFW conference.

Bonnie and her husband live in a log cabin in upstate area of New York with a dog and cat who think she’s wait-staff.

Her sites are: https://www.facebook.com/bonniescalhounsnarkandsuspense
 https://www.facebook.com/bscalhoun

 ABOUT THE BOOK

Cordelia Grace watched Bernard Howard, the love of her young life, go off to fight for our country in WWII. And she has spent the last three years creating the Pine Cone quilt that will grace their marriage bed when he comes home. Each row of triangles signifies a layer in her life, sets of memories, hopes, dreams, and prayers for her future, enough spoken words to cover them forever. Her image of their “happy-ever-after” grows proportionally as the quilt expands.

But is the man that returns from the war, the same man that she remembered? Are the dark shades of color that she had to use for the outside edges of the beloved quilt prophetic of her life to come? Can love and faith overcome all?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Pieces of the Heart, go HERE.

My thoughts:  As I'm sure you've noticed if you read my book reviews, I am in love with the Quilts of Love series!  I made my first nine patch when I was 8 years old and have been hooked on quilting since though I don't find a lot of time for it anymore.  My husband reenacts WWII and I have recently been trying to find things for me to reenact with him as well.  I don't know as much about WWII as I do about the Civil War, but just reading this book gave me a slight course to add to what I already knew.  I fell in love with Cordelia and Bernard.  I really loved Granny and cried with Cordelia over Granny's passing.  Cordelia faces many trials on her way to being able to grow and do what she wants.  But does she have what it takes to deal with a post war husband?  As a nurse I know only too well what these men came home like.  I know what horrors awaited their wives.  Can Cordelia and Bernard survive and find true love?  Better read the book and find out!!



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Baker Publishing Group -Lily Lapp Books Review #hsreviews TOSCrew

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You might have noticed if you read my blog much that I love to read!  I read as much as I can in my "spare" time.  I hope and pray that all my children learn to love reading as much as I do!  That is why we were all excited at getting to review a set of books from Baker Publishing Group.  I love to read Christian Amish fiction and have enjoyed the chance to read aloud the Lily Lapp books to my children.

The two books we received to review are Life with Lily and A New Home for Lily.  They are the first two books in a series focused on the life of Lily Lapp.  So far, there are two more books that come after these two in the series.  The series is written by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher.

This series of books is unique within Amish fiction in the fact that Mary Ann Kinsinger grew up Old Order Amish and left the church after she was married.  She knows first hand what growing up as an Amish girl is like and that gives a wonderful feel of reality to her books.  You really are learning what it is like to live as an Amish girl.  You really are getting a glimpse into the Amish world in these books!

The books are loosely based on parts of Mary Ann Kinsinger's life.  They are by no means an autobiography but do reflect what her childhood was like.  Mary Ann has also recorded events of her childhood on her blog titled A Joyful Chaos.

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Life with Lily follows young Lily Lapp and her family as she turns school age, has a new baby brother, and begins to discover more about her life and what her role is. Set in upstate New York this story is charming!  Lily loves to have fun and tends to innocently get into trouble.  She loves school until a new teacher takes over who doesn't even seem to like teaching.  Available in paperback or ebook format this book sells $12.99 per book.  These books are geared towards ages 8-12 but my entire group of littles ones as well as myself loved them!

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A New Home for Lily follows Lily and her family  as they move from New York to a new Amish community in Pennsylvania.  Lily is not excited for the move but enjoys new adventures and meeting new friends!  Also available in ebook or paperback for $12.99 and geared to ages 8-12.

I read these books to my children.  My oldest daughter who is 8 helped by reading a chapter at a time out loud to her siblings.  I would have had her read the entire books to them, but wanted her to have some fun listening too!  Plus I loved the books as well.  All of my children(well except for little Kierrah at 3 weeks now) were enthralled with the books and listened very well.  They now play as if they are Lily and her brothers plus friends(with 8 kids she doesn't have enough siblings)!  I enjoy seeing my children show me that they have comprehended and remember what they have read or listened too.  I think play acting is one of the best ways to show this in the littler children.

We loved these books and can't wait to purchase the next two in the series when they are available.  I love to read Amish fiction but had never thought that I would enjoy a children's book quite so much.  If you have children who are older than the 12 years I recommend that they still give this book a try.  Yes the language may be a bit more simple than they are used to, but I would say that they will still enjoy this story.

Read more reviews of the Lily Lapp books on our Main Blog for the TOS Crew reviews.  Fifty different homeschool families have been given the chance to read and review these books so I'm sure you'll find lots of information to help you decide if these books are something your family would like to read!



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Friday, June 21, 2013

Anchors Away Pirate Table Giveaway #Summertime


“Ahoy Mate! It's official. Summer is here and it's time to celebrate by making a splash!
The Kids Did It, The Mommy Island, Mom of One and Having Fun, and Love From Elle along with some fun loving bloggers are happy to bring our readers this fun way to kick off Summer! This event will have you saying, "ARRRGGGHHH" but in a good way. Entry is so easy and we won't even make you walk the plank!”

For Him and My Family and all other blogs participating in this giveaway are not responsible for shipping the prize. Open to the US only. Ends 7/8.


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Thursday, June 20, 2013

Introducing Our Newest Princess

Our youngest princess arrived on May 28th at 5 am after three hours of labor.  Such a sweet little thing she is too.  I really can't believe she is already over 3 weeks old!  She weighed in at 7 lbs even and was 20-1/2 inches long.

I would like you to meet Kierrah Jane Slocum.

Taken by a friend(who is a professional photographer) at 3 days old.

Taken by me at 3 weeks old.

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Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson -CFBA Review

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel
B&H Publishing Group (April 30, 2013)
by
Melody Carlson


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.





ABOUT THE BOOK

With high hopes, Dorothy Ballinger lands her dream job at The New York Times. But it's not long until writing about weddings becomes a painful reminder of her own failed romance, and her love of the city slowly sours as well. Is it time to give up the Big Apple for her small hometown of Appleton?

When her eccentric Aunt Dot passes away and leaves a sizeable estate to Dorothy, going back home is an easy choice. What isn’t easy is coming to terms with the downright odd clauses written into the will.

Dorothy only stands to inherit the estate if she agrees to her aunt's very specific posthumous terms -- personal and professional. And if she fails to comply, the sprawling old Victorian house shall be bequeathed to . . . Aunt Dot’s cats.

And if Dorothy thinks that’s odd, wait until she finds out an array of secrets about Aunt Dot's life, and how imperfect circumstances can sometimes lead to God's perfect timing.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel, go HERE.

My thoughts:  When I finished this book my first thoughts were "when does the sequel come out!  I can't wait to find out what happens next!"  To me this is the ultimate compliment to  a writer as they have you so hooked that you are literally hanging in suspense waiting to know what happens!  This is one of those books!     The professional terms are easy to meet but the personal ones aren't quite so easy, especially when an old flame who broke our main characters heart shows back up!  Great book that everyone definitely needs to read!  I passed my copy on to another to read so go get your own!



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The Ultimate Sandwich Kit Review and Giveaway @GoodCookCom -Recipe (US only ends 6-29)

I've got another awesome giveaway opportunity to share with you from Good Cook!  These guys are amazing!  I am now able to offer up for giveaway 3 Sandwich Kits!  I am receiving one to review and you can read all about it coming soon!

Now you might ask why sandwiches and what are we doing with a sandwich kit in June.  Here's the answer!  Sunday is Father's Day so we're honoring our Fathers by talking about their favorite sandwiches.  My husband really likes just a plain ham and swiss sandwich.  This to me is fairly boring.  I mean he puts miracle whip, swiss cheese, and brown sugar ham on two slices of bread and he's done.  He's not a huge veggie lover so he doesn't add any lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle. . . . nothing.

I made this for him and added the lettuce anyway, hehehehe.

In the keeper looks so cute!


So I'm sharing my bread recipe that he likes!  You can find it HERE.  This is a millet oatmeal bread that a friend gave me the recipe for.  It's gluten free and can be made in a breadmachine or by hand and baked in the oven.  We get better results with oven baking(nicer loaf, etc) but with 9 kids and the youngest just 2 weeks most days it's the breadmachine for us!  I'm so blessed to have a nice one that has a gluten free setting.

Here is my sandwich kit!  Great little kit full of awesome supplies for making the Ultimate Sandwich for the Father in your life this year.



Included is:
Cheese slicer
Precision slicer(for onions and tomatoes)
Sandwich Knife
Flexible Cutting Boards
Sandwich Keeper


The above photo is of the prize kit.  Same as what I received!  Trust me you'll love it!

But wait there is more!  You can use code DADWICH at Good Cook and get 25% off your purchase!  Wow that is a great discount so make sure to take advantage of it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the list below showing all kinds of great sandwiches! This is where you'll find the other sandwiches that you can comment on for more entries!!


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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Gluten Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

I found a recipe for Oatmeal Raisin Cookies on the back of a box of flour mix that I had won in a giveaway. I decided I wanted to try the recipe out but of course I had to make some changes!  Below you will find my version which I subbed with dairy free ingredients as well as made it refined sugar free as well as a few other things!  Enjoy!

Just a bit crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside these are perfect!  They do not flatten, so if you don't want them a certain shape make sure to change it before baking!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
3 large farm fresh eggs, well beaten
1 cup chocolate chips(or use dried fruit of your choice ie we really liked dried cherries in this too)
              ---Enjoy Life is the only brand I have found so far that are dairy and gluten free.
1 tsp homemade vanilla
1 cup coconut oil
1 cup honey
1/2 cup finely ground demerara
2-1/2 cups gluten free flour blend(the blend I used was WAY too starchy for me but my regular blend   
          works well in these too)
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
2 cups gluten free quick oats

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream together the coconut oil, honey, and demerara.
In a separate bowl mix the flour, cinnamon, and baking soda together.
Slowly add this to the wet mixture.
Mix well.
Blend in the eggs and vanilla.
Now stir in the oatmeal and chocolate chips.
The dough will be very thick and stiff.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
Let cool on cookie sheet for 1-2 minutes and then place on wire rack to cool.
Enjoy!



I liked these as a mid morning snack with my coffee.  The kids like them anyway they can get them!  But they are especially good with milk according to them.

Shared on:  Inspire Me Monday, Gluten Free Weekly Meal Plan, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, Motivation Monday, Try a New Recipe Tuesday, Wisdom Wednesday, Allergy Free Wednesdays, Homemaking Linkup, Welcome Home Wednesdays, Modest Mondays, Wellness Wednesday, Proverbs 31 LinkUp, Food on Friday

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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Fear Has a Name by Creston Mapes -CFBA Review

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Fear Has a Name
David C. Cook (June 1, 2013)
by
Creston Mapes


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Creston has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as "The Shop."

Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University, then began his writing career. During the past 30 years, he has worked as a reporter, corporate copywriter, creative director, freelance writer, and author.


ABOUT THE BOOK


From popular suspense author Creston Mapes comes another faith-building thriller, a tale that follows journalist Jack Crittendon as he fights to protect his family from a stalker's terrifying schemes, investigates a pastor's mysterious disappearance, and struggles to keep his faith amidst unthinkable fear.

With his family's safety on the line, Crittendon realizes there are secrets behind "Christian" walls--secrets with painful, deadly implications. He must find the faith to trust a God who allows inconceivable trials, and the courage to guard his family, with danger exploding at every turn.

Through it all--the sharp, character-driven writing for which Mapes is known--takes fans and new readers on an edge-of-your-seat journey that explores the harsh, far-reaching consequences of bullying and the Christian response to fear.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Fear Has a Name, go HERE.

My thoughts:  This book is wonderfully written.  It is suspenseful and keeps you hooked until the last minute! Loved the ending and can't wait to read the second book already.  Jack and his wife have some pretty hard moments to go through in this book as do Pastor Evan and his wife.  I think the way the author wove this whole thing together, integrating the characters and having them help each other with their problems and strengthening their faith is awesome!  This was a book that I didn't want to put down.  Oh and of course who can forget Granger Meade who is just in need of a friend.  This is definitely a great read and I do believe it will be a bestselling hit if my enjoyment of it meant anything!



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Good Eatin' Recipe Hop 6/18 #GoodEatinPL

 
Welcome to the Good Eatin' Recipe Hop
hosted by
The 'Pitch List' Bloggers

Every Tuesday you can join us to share great recipes.........
There are no specific themes. 
Add your recipe of choice to the linky.
No Giveaways Please...all giveaways will be removed.
We Love Comments! Please Share!



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Monday, June 17, 2013

Memoria Press Prima Latina Homeschool Review #hsreviews TOSCrew

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We recently got the chance to review an item from Memoria Press.   Memoria Press offers several subjects for a variety of ages.  We were allowed to try out Prima Latina which is a Latin curriculum from Memoria Press.

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Prima Latina is a Latin curriculum for your child to learn how to sound out(pronounce), speak, and read Latin.  While some may not think this is important in this day and age, I believe it is.  As a nurse knowing some Latin would have helped immensely when  I was reading and learning all those medical terms!  Knowing Latin is also correlated to higher scores on the SAT and ACT.  I know most homeschoolers aren't thinking of those tests when they're teaching their 1st graders, but it is something to keep in mind.

Prima Latina is directed for students in grades 2-4.  The entire subject kit includes a student book, teacher's manual, pronunciation cd, instructional dvd's, and flashcards.  The kit sells for $90.90.  I was using this with my 8 year old daughter(she just turned 8).  She is currently going into 2nd grade for some subjects and 3rd for others.

This course is said to be an introduction study for students who will be using the Christian Latin course.  While I don't think that I will be using another Latin course at this point(none of my children are at a point where they have chosen a career) I do feel that it would transition you well into another study.

In Prima Latina you will find yourself learning many things in Latin.  Some of these are hymns, vocabulary words, saying, prayers, and constellations.  It of course also teaches proper grammar.  Whether your child is going into a profession where they will need to know some Latin or not, I feel that this course also helps them with learning proper English vocabulary.  Even if your child does not "get" the Latin yet, I feel it will show some improvement in their regular English studies.  It should also help them sound out and figure out what certain words mean if they already know the Latin root of the word.

The DVD's include 9 hours of instruction.  Your first lesson teaches you the Latin alphabet as well as a few vocabulary words.  I feel that this is the most important lesson and we spent a great deal of time on it.  In fact we are still watching this one every other week to once a month as review.  All of my children watch and listen to the dvd's even though they are not all taking the course.  They are picking up bits and pieces and it is wonderful for them to be learning something along with their older sister.  The dvd's are engaging for children and the speaker has a pleasant voice that seems to draw them into her spell!  The lessons are only 15-20 minutes so not too long where your child would get bored and no longer be paying attention.

The CD is also a wonderful tool that all of my children are enjoying.  We tend to listen to this when we are in the van.  It is an hour drive to the closest city where we get groceries so we have a good listen on the way there and on the way home.  It is amazing what children can pick up in that time.  They are little sponges.  This has reminded me how careful we need to be of what our children hear around them or even on the radio as they may not know what they are saying or singing, but they will repeat it and will continue with it.

The workbook contains 25 lessons.  Each lesson covers 5 vocabulary words with the English derivatives(love the small number of vocabulary per lesson).  Each lesson also contains a phrase in Latin for your student to learn.  Lastly, each lesson teaches a short line of prayer so that at the end of 5 lessons they will know it in its entirety.

Other members of our Crew Review Team were able to review the Latin curriculum as well as a Geography curriculum so make sure to head over to the Main Crew Blog Post and read what they thought of the programs.




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Thursday, June 13, 2013

Birdcage Press Backyard Birds Review -TOSCrew #hsreviews

Birdcage Press Logo photo Birdcage-logo_zpsa3a9555b.jpg

Recently my kids were extremely excited about a review item.  Even more excited than normal! This is because we were getting to review Wild Cards: Backyard Birds from Birdcage Press.  My kids love watching the birds that comes to our feeders.  This gave us a chance to learn more about the birds we have and a few we don't!

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Cards and book set

These cards are wonderful!  Included in the box is a card game consisting of 36 playing cards and a 32 page book with information on the birds!  My kids were fighting over who got to look at the book first.  We had to be reminded about sharing and taking turns.  This set is $10.95 and geared towards ages 6 and up.  Using the cards and book helps promote memory, concentration, reading, and strategic thinking.

Our main game with the cards was memory.  This was fun for ALL the kids even the ones that are under age 6.  Of course the ones that could read enjoyed it more as they read all about the birds that they collected.

Another game we played was a "go fish" type game except with 8 children wanting to play there were no cards left to draw from so they just had to match what was in their hands and then ask around to the other kids to find their other matches.  Or, if you were the younger two lose your cards to the older ones who were paying more attention and had better recall!

My kids also just liked to look at the cards and quiz each other about the bird facts.  Like I said earlier they love birds!  Their absolute favorite thing was to match the birds that came to our feeders with the birds in the book and on the cards.  Then they would show their daddy when he got home what birds they saw that day.  I love their enthusiasm for learning new things and their love of nature and birds.

Love the way the cards and book fit into the box!

I've never been a huge bird type person and rarely remember what even the common birds are called.  It's just not my thing.  That's why this set was so wonderful for me.  It gave me a chance to work with my kids on something they liked without having to rely solely on my memory(which really stinks).  Makes for happy kids and a happy mommy!  They can easily spend hours poring over the books and cards and looking out our large living room window.  The only problem is keeping feed in the bird feeders.  We even recently got a hummingbird feeder so we could see what hummingbirds we can attract in our area!

Birdcage Press also offers other card/book sets on different topics, not just birds! Make sure to go over to the main Crew blog post to see other reviews of these sets and more on their Backyard Birds set as well.


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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Christianity Cove Homeschool Review -TOS Crew #hsreviews

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The kids and I were all excited to try out one of our latest review opportunities.  We received two products to review from Christianity Cove!  In downloadable PDF form we received Bible Science Experiments and the 10 Commandments Activity Kit.

Christianity Cove has over 700 free Sunday School lessons on their blog and 26 resources that they sell online.  I know that we loved the two we reviewed and I can see how they would make a great Sunday School curriculum.  For us they made great unit studies for use this summer.  Make sure to like their facebook page for access to a free activity book!


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I have been wanting to do a unit study with my kids on the 10 commandments, but wasn't sure where I wanted to start.  Well, I decided to start with this great little resource and then add some of my own to it as we go along.  I love the activities that come with it!

My kids thought that tracing their feet was awesome.  I guess I should explain that we were tracing our feet so that we could write the commandments on them.  They were a bit disappointed that they had to use one of my feet for one because we only have 9 children and there are 10 commandments!  Yes they even went so far as to ask when we were going to have another with our youngest, little Kierrah Jane, only being 2 weeks old!

The 10 Commandments Kit is designed for ages 4-10, but I do have to say that my two 2 year olds participated and enjoyed it as well.  It is a great resource for using in a Sunday School classroom or for a group of homeschoolers.  I had no problem using it just with my kids, but I also was using it with 8 kids at once!  Right now if you are among the first 250 people to buy this the price will be $27 otherwise the normal full price for this kit is $47.  Also, because they are so sure everyone will love this product they offer a full money back guarantee.  You have 2 months to use the product and decide if you love it or not.

The second course we reviewed was Bible Science Experiments.  It contains 25 experiments for young kids to do to help learn truths about God and the Bible.  If you order now it is only $25 for this great product. Normally it is $39.95.  It is also geared towards ages 4-10 but I would think you could use it with slightly older and younger children as well.  My two years olds were really impressed with the experiments, however, they did not always understand the concepts.  The older range of the age group will get the concepts more and get more out of the experiments.

My kids favorite experiment was on how rainbows are made.  We love rainbows and who doesn't want to create their own!  The verse that goes with this experiment is Genesis 9:13.  I love how each experiment has a verse and then a lesson to learn and how it applies to us and the Bible.  These are simple and easy for children to understand and hold onto.  This is the lesson

  "Without God, we’re just clear and shallow and boring. With just one drop of God, we’re 
colorful and dimensional—and fun to play with. "

Honestly, how can you not love something that is helping to instill proper values and knowledge as well as love of God into your children?  We love these two books that we were able to download.  They contain all you need to know to create the experiments or do the crafts/activities.  My kids are begging to redo some of the things and do more fun things such as this.  I have a feeling I will be looking into some of their other books just to keep my kids happy!

Want to read about some of the other great products from Christianity Cove?  Take a moment to head over to the Crew Main Blog Post and check on what other people thought of them!  It's a great read!

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Tuesday, June 11, 2013

An Open Heart by Harry Kraus Review -CFBA

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
An Open Heart
David C. Cook (June 1, 2013)
by
Harry Kraus


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Harry:

I started writing my first novel during my last year of surgery training at UK. I was a chief resident, and started writing Stainless Steal Hearts in a call room at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Lexington. It was a crazy time to write! I had a very demanding schedule, often spending days and nights in the hospital. I had two sons at that time, and I recognized the wisdom in my wife's urging: "Now doesn't seem the right time for this dream."

My experience as a writer is far from typical. Having received my formal training in biology and chemistry and medicine, my only preparation for a writing career was a love for reading. The longest thing I'd written before my first novel was a term paper in undergraduate school. My first novel was accepted by Crossway Books and published in 1994, and it wasn't until after I had FOUR published novels that I even opened a book of instruction about the craft of writing fiction. This is not what I recommend to others! Yes, I was successful, but I was bending the "rules" without knowing it. I had a natural talent for plotting, but I realize my initial success may have stunted my growth as a writer. I'd have made faster progress if I'd have gone to the fiction teachers sooner.

I have three sons: Joel, Evan, and Samuel. Look closely in all of my books and you'll see them there. My lovely wife, Kris, provides the basic composition for all those beautiful, athletic, dedicated women in my novels.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Their Messages—From Beyond the Grave—Might Destroy Him ...

They hover between life and death, their hearts stopped on the surgery table. And the messages Dr. Jace Rawlings’ open-heart surgery patients bring back from beyond the grave cannot be ignored. For they predict the deaths of people around him, and point a finger of suspicion straight at him.

It thrusts Jace into a firestorm of controversy and danger. A maelstrom blown by the darker winds of political intrigue and spiritual warfare. And the forces working against him will do anything to stop him from uncovering a truth they will kill to hide. He’d come to Kenya to establish a heart-surgery program for the poor. But what he will find in that place where he grew up will put everything at risk–his marriage, his career . . . his life.

If you would like to read the first chapter of An Open Heart, go HERE.

My thoughts:  This book is amazing!  I really can't say enough about it, but also don't want to give too much away!  As a nurse I love the medical aspect of this book.  Some may consider it too much, but I consider it fascinating.  I've never been to Africa but after reading this book I feel as if I have been.  Whether you believe in the power of Satan and the power of God, whether you think they still fight each other today in this day and age, this book is powerful and I for one am very glad to have read it.  I've loaned it to a friend already who just finished it.  Wow is really all we can say and keep passing the book around.


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Good Eatin' Recipe Hop 6/11 #GoodEatinPL

 
Welcome to the Good Eatin' Recipe Hop
hosted by
The 'Pitch List' Bloggers

Every Tuesday you can join us to share great recipes.........
There are no specific themes. 
Add your recipe of choice to the linky.
No Giveaways Please...all giveaways will be removed.
We Love Comments! Please Share!



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Saturday, June 8, 2013

@GoodCookCom Produce Keepers Review and Giveaway (US only ends 6/22)

I recently received a set of fruit and vegetable keepers from Good Cook to review.  The set includes seven keepers: asparagus, cantaloupe, tomato, green pepper, lemon(citrus), grapefruit, and banana.  I want to start off by saying that these are BPA free!  It's so hard to find good food storage that is BPA free so I'm very excited to have these!

Photo Credit from Good Cook
One of the first things I did with my keepers was make a fruit salad and put it inside of the cantaloupe keeper.  My family loves this great salad which is super easy to make as well!

Fruit Salad:
2 lbs fresh red grapes(cut into half)
2 lb fresh strawberries(I cut mine in half and then into slices)
1 lb fresh blueberries(just clean them and throw them in)

Simply mix all the fruit together and enjoy!

Additional fruit to add if you have it:
We often add cantaloupe cut into bite sized pieces, watermelon as well, kiwi, and apple.

Fruit salad after being chopped and refrigerated for 2 weeks.

The fruit salad(well a small portion of it) stayed fresh for two weeks inside of the keeper.  Did not have any mushy or any of the fruit even thinking of going bad!  I was lucky to keep it hidden from the kids for that long!

These keepers are part of the Good Cook ProFreshionals Brand.  They are designed to look like the fruit or vegetable that they keep fresh to make it easy to get the right container at first glance and to help you know what you still have left to use in your refrigerator.

I'm not a fan of grapefruit, so we are using that keeper for our oranges which we are large fans of!  I have to say that my favorite keeper is the banana one.  Not that we ever have half a banana to keep fresh, but because it is the perfect size for me to send cut up pieces of fruit with my husband in his lunch box!  I'm a fan of using things where I can and this is the perfect way to use the banana keeper for us. My kids are huge banana fans so they never let us have even one bite of banana left around the house. In fact, if I buy bananas they tend to be gone within hours of me getting home from the store!

Since the banana keeper is my favorite I wanted to share with you some pictures of the banana keeper.  I wanted to show how you can adjust the size of the keeper.  Yes I'm nerdy but this is awesome!

The largest size for the keeper.

The smallest size for the keeper.
And now a cute story.  I was missing the banana keeper when I was making my husbands lunch the other night(I make it the night before to save time) and couldn't figure out where it had walked off to.  Things tend to grow legs of their own around here at our house.  I finally found it.  It seems that my two 2 year old little girls think that this makes a wonderful baby bottle toy!

If you like these keepers feel free to take advantage of a special offer that I am able to offer!  Until June 30th if you purchase any keeper from Good Cook you will also get the banana keeper for free.  You also can use coupon code KEEPERS to save 25% off your purchase!  What a wonderful deal!  These offers are only valid online.

I am very fortunate to get to bring to you a giveaway for 4 sets of these keepers!  Each set is valued at $42 so it is a great deal to be sure!  You can enter for your chance to win on the rafflecopter below.  All entries are voluntary so feel free to enter as many or as few as you like!  But the more you enter the more chance you have of winning!  The Giveaway will run from now until June 22nd.




a Rafflecopter giveaway


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