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Monday, March 27, 2017
Without Warning by Joel Rosenberg {Book Review}
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Crossway ESV Journaling Bible Giveaway
This post may contain affiliate or advertiser links. Read my full disclosure policy here.
One of the things that I’m getting braver about is marking up my Bible. Aside from the normal underlining and making a little sidenote here or there, typically most Bibles don’t offer enough room in the margins to actually write extensive note. I don’t know about you, but my notes from church are ALL over the place: a bulletin here, a small notebook here - so much depends on what I happen to grab at the time.
Crossway has an ESV Journaling Bible (aff link) that may be exactly what you are looking for to merge your devotional time and give you a little space to breathe and jot down your thoughts or sermon notes.
One of the things that makes the ESV Journaling Bible stand out the blue flora cloth hard back cover (so soft!). Otherwise, the interior layout is very simple: a two inch lightly-lined margin on the outside of each page for note-taking. The Bible also comes in a hard cardboard case - perfect in case you don’t want to damage it when traveling. The version itself is ESV (English Standard Version), one of my personal favorites.
Features:
- Size: 6.25” x 7.25”
- Cream-colored paper
- 2" ruled margins
- One-Year Bible reading plan
- Book introductions
- Ribbon marker
- Smyth-sewn binding
- Packaging: O-wrap, clamshell box, or permanent slipcase
My only note on the Bible (I absolutely love the cover and layout!) is the text size. My 42 year old eyes love a pretty cover, but the text size may be a little bit smaller to focus on, especially early in the morning if the light is dim. I’m not quite ready for reading glasses, but sadly, this is making me feel like I might (grins).
Win an ESV Journaling Bible
The ESV Journaling Bible is available for purchase here, and through 11/15 you can enter to win a copy from the publisher. Leave a comment letting me know why you’d like to win (for you or a friend?), and I’ll select a winner via Rafflecopter when the giveaway is over.
a Rafflecopter giveaway“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Because the Kids Aren’t Getting Any Younger
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Zachary, 10; Laurianna, 13; Kaleb, 8; McKenna, 12
So the kids are growing up. Proof positive in the picture above. In case you don’t recognize them - well, those are our four. It’s been a bit since I’ve shared a picture and looking at the family pictures on our wall in comparison - yikes.
Easter Sunday was a beautiful day and a chance to grab a few snapshots to document just how much they’ve grown and how beautiful (or handsome) they are becoming, both inside and out.
McKenna would love to have you notice that yes, she IS taller than her older sister. This is the first time in a long time that she has worn her hair down, which we love!
These two girls can be the best of friends or drive each other crazy all in the span of 15 minutes. They are growing into beautiful young ladies (that in and of itself sounds too grown up!).
And the boys - well, they aren’t so little anymore either. There’s a part of me that keeps thinking Kaleb is six. He’s eight. Sigh. It should be noted that Zachary wanted a pink shirt for Easter. He got plaid.
Rick and I aren’t getting any younger either - but you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way. At all. This man is all sorts of amazing and I am blessed to have him and those crazy kids along for the ride.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Just Write
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Writing is something that I haven’t done here lately, because in truth - it all just feels overwhelming at times. Or that I don’t have anything consequential to really put into words.
{I’d say I don’t have any words, but if you know me, I never seem to lack for words.}
Life continues to move on. Our kids are growing. Trying to keep up with them and the many moods can honestly be quite exhausting. And rewarding. And frustrating.
This parenting thing isn’t always the easiest task. Especially because I find so many glaring faults of my own being mirrored in my children. The things that I am asking them to stop doing {for the upteenth time}, well - can you guess where many of those things were learned?
So sometimes it’s easier not to write. Much of me wants to just enjoy the time that I have with our family, which is why I haven’t written much.
But really, there has been lots to tell of {other than the chicken and the rabbit that died, or all the snow we’ve enjoyed, or the braces someone now has}.
While life has been happening, there is lots to write of - but sometimes this mom has a hard time putting it all into words that do it justice.
Linking up with 5 Minute Friday
Monday, January 20, 2014
When I Was Little
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This Christmas each of the girls received a Just Between Us journal for moms and daughters. And really - it has been fabulous. Rather than staring at a blank page, there are journal prompts for us to write back and forth with each other and get conversations started. Both girls have jumped into this with excitement and I love seeing what is on their minds and hearts, especially when their personalities begin showing through the ink.
{and p.s. this is posted with permission}
From one of my daughters this morning:
“When I was little I thought you were the best mom in the world. Now that I'm older, I know you are.
(I got that from a Hallmark card).
(But it's true).
(I also thought Santa was real).”
I may have laughed out loud at that journal entry. Because this girl just cracks me up at times, and this is just one of the many examples of her brain at work.
You have to love it.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
FREEBIES: 14 Free Books from Beth Moore
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There are FOURTEEN ebooks by Beth Moore that you can download for FREE through January 10, 2014! Here’s a quick listing so you can grab them before they are gone.
Download a free copy of A Heart Like His for Kindle
Download a free copy of Believing God for Kindle
Download a free copy of Believing God: Day By Day for Kindle
Download a free copy of Breaking Free for Kindle
Download a free copy of Breaking Free: Day By Day for Kindle
Download a free copy of Feathers From My Nest for Kindle
Download a free copy of Further Still for Kindle
Download a free copy of Jesus, the One and Only for Kindle
Download a free copy of Praying God’s Word for Kindle
Download a free copy of Praying God’s Word Day by Day for Kindle
Download a free copy of The Beloved Disciple for Kindle
Download a free copy of Things Pondered for Kindle
Download a free copy of To Live is Christ for Kindle
Download a free copy of When Godly People Do Ungodly Things for Kindle
Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Sound of Music LIVE
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Friday, November 15, 2013
Unspoken by Dee Henderson {Book Review}
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Bryce Bishop runs a successful coin store, and when Charlotte Graham offers him first refusal of a massive coin collection that she has acquired from her grandfather’s estate. Bryce is intrigued not only by the coins, but by the circumstances surrounding the offer.
Charlotte is a very quiet and guarded. Years ago she was the victim of a kidnapping, and though eventually found and rescued, she has never spoken of the events that happened in the years she was missing. Reliving the events proves painful and no one has been let into that traumatic time in her life.
Despite her cautiousness, the story of her kidnapping is being told through the words of a reporter. Charlotte has to decide if she should break her silence or continue to push back the memories that haunt her. In the midst of it all, she struggles to close out her grandfather’s estate and hold on to her guarded life, while so much around her is no longer the quiet life she desires.
The kidnapping story opens up old wounds, but also causes questions to be raised in another crime that was committed during the same time. Charlotte is put in a position of needing to confront her past and possibly shed light on the situation, but will that vulnerability come with too high a price or is it better to leave some things unspoken?
My Thoughts on Unspoken
As with all of the other books I’ve read by Dee Henderson, Unspoken was one that I loved. While not a part of a series, there are characters that pop up from time to time from her other novels - which is fun for fans, but doesn’t lose any meaning for new readers who are picking up the book to read as a stand alone. Meeting and getting to know new characters is always fun, especially when the author does a wonderful job making them come to life on the page. Unspoken does pull in a few of the characters from Full Disclosure as they put together pieces from an unsolved murder years prior as more of Charlotte’s past comes to light.
The relationship between Bryce and Charlotte was slow to develop in some ways, mainly because of her past history and the issues surrounding her kidnapping. But - it was sweet to watch it unfold throughout the pages. While there is so much more that I could say about it, I do love the way that Henderson handled the decisions they made together. {Really, if I said more, it would spoil some things!}
The job Bryce holds as a coin dealer was interesting, although I have to admit that I was floored at the unlimited amount of funding that he seemed to have at his disposal to purchase the coin lots from Charlotte. I’m sure there is a huge market for coins, and it does make me curious to know more about it, but at times my eyes may have glassed over a bit at the description of the rare coins. It’s something I would like to see in person to truly grasp the magnitude of the collection.
Unspoken is a hefty 400+ page suspense novel that takes a little bit more to get into, but once started, it is hard to put down. Just be warned - you may find yourself curled up in a cozy spot and immune to the demands of your family. Overall, the story is one that is filled with the themes of restoration, healing, and patience - and one that I would recommend.
Find Out More
You can pick up a copy of Unspoken by Dee Henderson via Amazon in either paperback or Kindle. Be sure to visit Dee Henderson's website as well.

This book was provided for review by Bethany House. All opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Stranded by Dani Pettrey {Book Review}
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Darcy St. James just wanted to help out a friend with an undercover story. She knew it sounded ‘big’, but had no idea that same friend would go missing without a trace mere hours after her arrival on the cruise ship. None of the staff on board the ship is aware that Darcy is really a reporter, and everything surrounding the disappearance leaves Darcy with so many questions to ask - and no concrete answers from anyone.
One of the last people Darcy expected to see on her undercover trip was Gage McKenna. His family has been hired to lead several of the excursions the cruise ship offers, and he is not happy to see Darcy on board the ship. He believes she is sticking her nose into something that isn’t a problem and hopes her digging doesn’t lead to a loss of business for the family.
Their past relationship of butting heads continues to get in the way, but the more time they spend together, the more suspicious the disappearance of her friend seems. Pieces of the mystery are not fitting together and more oddities keep popping up - some with harmful results. Fearing for Darcy’s safety, Gage and his family and friends attempt to help Darcy uncover the mysterious happenings onboard and off the cruise ship - but will they remain safe in the process?
My Thoughts on Stranded and Dani Pettrey
A good suspense book is hard to put down, and Stranded by Dani Pettrey is a book that falls into that category. Years ago, I began reading the O’Malley series by Dee Henderson and didn’t think that I would find another that equaled it in writing style and character development.
Thank you, Dani Pettrey for providing that series for me. {I’m sure it was just for me, a fellow homeschool mom - right?}.
Filled with suspense and an undercurrent of romance, Stranded {and the other books in the Alaskan Courage series} will keep readers engaged, glued to their books, and anxious for the next installment. Stranded can be read as a stand-alone novel, but you will want to dive into the small Alaskan town of Yancey and meet everyone there. Be sure to block off a chunk of time once the book arrives though. You won’t want to put it down!
You can pick up Stranded, book 3 in the Alaskan Adventure series by Dani Pettrey, from Amazon. While you’re there, you may also want to add Submerged and Shattered to your cart too - you’re going to want them {trust me}.
Enter the Alaskan Adventures Sweepstakes
To celebrate the release of Stranded, Dani Pettrey and Bethany House are hosting the Alaskan Adventures sweepstakes, with over $600 in prizes to be awarded! Entries will be accepted until September 20, 2013, so head over now to enter.

This book was provided for review by Bethany House. All opinions expressed are my own.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Apple Crisp with Zucchini Instead of Apples
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Yes, you read that right. Apple Crisp without apples. Instead, you can use the plethora of zucchini that the garden seems to be putting out this time of year.
And your family won’t be able to tell the difference. Trust me.
You may even decide to grab all that extra zucchini that others are trying to unload. But don’t take my word for it - just try it and see!
Ingredients for Zucchini {not Apple} Crisp
- 8 cups of diced zucchini
- 3/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 tsp. cinnamon, divided
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 stick butter
Directions
- Peel zucchini and dice into small bite-sized pieces. Put in frying pan and add lemon juice and cinnamon. Bring to low boil over medium high heat and let simmer for 20 minutes or until zucchini pieces are tender. Add 1/2 cup of sugar. Stir well until sugar is dissolved.
- Put zucchini mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish.
- Mix oats, brown sugar, flour, a teaspoon of cinnamon, and nutmeg together. Cut in the stick of butter until the mixture is well blended into small crumbs.
- Sprinkle topping mixture over zucchini and bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the topping is melted.
- Serve with ice cream and enjoy!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witenmeyer {Book Review}
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Joanna Robbins loves God and has been praying for a preacher to revive the small church in her community. Her father is a reformed stagecoach robber who wants little to do with God, but wants more than anything to make his daughter happy.
So he decides to hold up a train and steal the preacher on board.
Crockett Archer is on his way to interview for a pastoral position when his train is stopped and robbed - with him as the ‘prize’ needed. He isn’t happy being held hostage and wants desperately to escape, but the redhead at the end of his journey is nothing short of intriguing.
Although Joanna explains her plight to Crockett, he continues on to his interview. Getting her off his mind is no small task though. Now he needs to figure out if his kidnapping was all a part of a bigger plan that God had in mind for him - one that includes a young lady named Joanna.
My Thoughts
Although the obvious storyline in Stealing the Preacher revolves around the developing romance between Joanna and Crockett, the underlying story of Joanna’s father was equally as wonderful. With a past that involves running from the law and a man determined to keep it all hidden, the growth in his character is so fun to watch - humorous at times and touching at others.
Joanna was such an amazingly sweet character to ‘meet’ and I had completely forgotten about Crockett, one of the Archer brothers from Witemeyer’s book Short Straw Bride. It was SO much fun reading his story as well.
Karen Witemeyer is an author that I know I will always enjoy, no matter the book. Stealing the Preacher proved to be another wonderful addition to her list of books.
Find Out More
Stealing the Preacher is available in both paperback and Kindle format from Bethany House. See all of her available books on the Bethany House website.

This book was provided for review by Bethany House. All opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Earn FREE Books from Tyndale
This post may contain affiliate or advertiser links. Read my full disclosure policy here.
Who likes free books? I know I do! If you love sharing via Facebook and other social media outlets, you need to check out the all new Tyndale Rewards program.
It is super easy to join and earn points. I’m already having fun earning points toward free products. I happen to know a little girl who wants a ‘real’ Bible as she calls it {grins}. I’m thinking one of the above Bibles would be perfect for her!
Incentives in the program include a free gift on your birthday, chances to share your recommendations on products, and free books in the areas of fiction, Bibles, parenting, youth, non-fiction, and audio books. Earn points as quickly as you would like and earn products for ZERO dollars. That’s a great number, isn’t it?
Tyndale even put together a fun video to give you the basic overview of the program.
Additional ways to earn points in the program including:
- taking a survey
- subscribing to a devotional or newsletter
- joining a focus group
- joining the birthday club
- reviewing a Tyndale product
- sharing the rewards program via social media
Joining the rewards program is easy. Just follow this link and sign up for free today!
Friday, June 21, 2013
Chasing Chickens
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If you would have asked me twenty years ago how I envisioned my life, I don’t think ‘chasing chickens’ would have been on my list. At all. Perhaps a house in the country. A few kids. But chickens – not on my radar.
This past week I took our ‘country living’ to an entire new level {at least in my book}.
As a bit of back story, a few weeks ago we had a rogue chicken that someone managed to find a way out of the locked run several days in a row. That same chicken also has recently resorted to laying some of her eggs on the ROOF of the run and likes to walk around up there quite a bit.
We did eventually discover the hole in some chicken wire underneath the coop, fixed it and the chickens remained contained.
Or at least I thought they were.
A few days ago the kids were supposed to let the chickens out of the coop {but not the run} since it was raining. Mid-morning I went outside to scare {aka shoot} a squirrel off the bird feeder and found one lonely chicken pecking the ground underneath the feeder.
But the rest of the chickens were in the run.
Did I mention it was raining?
I briefly chased the chicken and then ran down to the chicken run to double check and do a chicken head count and one was missing {and here I was home alone with no kids to send chasing after it}.
After several times around the run checking for holes in the wire and attempting to figure out how we managed to have another escapee, I was at a loss. No holes. Nada. And I still hadn’t caught the chicken.
Ten minutes of chasing and looking.
Did I mention it was raining?
Because I was getting rather wet and a wee bit irritated, I decided to head back inside and let the chicken roam. But I quickly checked for eggs before heading up to the house.
Inside one of the nesting boxes was the missing chicken- trying to enjoy a moment of peace and just quietly lay an egg.
Apparently that chicken I’d been trying to catch belonged to the neighbors.
Probably better I didn’t catch it, eh?
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Monsters University {non} Review
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While attending the Disney Social Media Moms Conference in May, our family had the opportunity to watch a sneak peak of the movie Monsters University. This new film will hit theatres in just a few days, on June 21st.
Going to the movies together as a family is something that doesn’t happen often for us. With six in our family, to say it is rare is pretty much an overstatement. So you can imagine the excitement that was practically oozing out of our kids when we were invited to see Monsters University.
Now…you won’t find any spoilers in this post {and our kids have been prepped to tell you only that it was GREAT}, but one thing that really stands out to me is that it was definitely a movie we could take our family too – and feel safe doing so. Silly jokes, fun characters, and more make it amazingly fun. There are many familiar faces throughout the movie and a few new ones that we now love! The kids {and adults} laughed, cheered, and clapped their way through Monsters University.
It really was that good.
Come June 21st, I have a feeling we’ll be planning a fun night out with the kids to see it all over again. But first we need to pull out Monsters, Inc. to watch again!

Our family was invited to be a part of the Disney Social Media Mom Conference and attended a sneak peek of Monsters University at no charge to us.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Flowers, a Plane Trip, and a Wonderful United Employee
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Recent travel to help at a conference had me away from my family on my birthday. And not just any birthday, but my 40th – which apparently should be a big deal. The kids and Rick wanted to do something special for me, so a gorgeous flower arrangement arrived at my hotel.
The only problem - I had a flight back home just two days later. Getting the bouquet through security without checking a bag seemed like it would be a feat. Too may carry-ons and such.
It may seem silly, but I prayed that I wouldn’t have to leave them at the airport.
Flowers in hand, I checked in at the United ticket counter in Orlando and a sweet lady, Dee, immediately offered to help. She was also a wedding coordinator and quickly whisked the flowers from me, wrapped them in paper towels and took them into the back to put plastic wrap around the base as well.
And that small offering almost made me cry. It may have been a little thing that I prayed for, but God was in the little details – why do we ever doubt this?
It’s moments like these that remind me of the kindness of others and thankful for employees that go the extra mile to assist in making a trip for a customer that much better. {Thanks, United and Dee!}.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Ring of Secrets by Roseanna White {Book Review}
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There are very few authors whose books I want to have on my shelf in both paperback and Kindle format. Roseanna White is one of those authors. Her books always pull me in with her detailed storytelling and a depth of writing that assures I will be pulling the books out in the future to read again {and again}.
I received a copy of Ring of Secrets from Harvest House to review on my blog, but purchased a Kindle copy on my own. All thoughts in this post are solely mine.
The first time I heard about the Culpeper Ring series, I was intrigued. The first book in the series, Ring of Secrets, is set in the late 1700’s during a period wrought with espionage. Patriots are forced to hide among British Loyalists, but information is secreted via a spy ring to help supply the Patriots with the latest movements and plans of the British.
Winter Reeves may be a female, but she is in the perfect spot socially to be a key information provider for the Patriots. She is courted by a British officer who continually tells her of upcoming plans, unaware that she isn’t the dimwitted girl many believe her to be.
Surrounding Winter are several individuals who are trying to discover the identity of the spies helping George Washington. Bennet Lane is one of those men, and he is immediately drawn to Winter. He sees beyond her demeanor and believes her to be an intelligent girl, and is determined to figure her out.
While Winter continues to share information with the spy ring, Bennet works on uncovering the identity of the spies – but feelings deeper than friendship begin to develop between the two. Neither is aware of the other’s true mission, but the closer they become, the harder the secrets are to keep.
My Thoughts on Ring of Secrets
There were so many different plot twists in Ring of Secrets that I wasn’t sure how this story was going to end. I knew how I wanted it to resolve, but honestly couldn’t tell if the book would or wouldn’t go in that direction!
Roseanna White pens characters that have are deep and more complicated than they first appear, with different layers and nuances that play into the storyline at the most surprising points. Her other novels have never disappointed me, and Ring of Secrets was no different.
With Ring of Secrets the first book in a new series, you will have to wait a bit to read more, but it is a book that can stand alone and also includes an epilogue so readers get a short peek into the lives of different character many years down the road {very fun!}.
Find Out More
I would highly recommend any of Roseanna White’s books, including Ring of Secrets. You can purchase it in paperback format or Kindle {as well as other formats via various vendors}. Be sure to stop by Roseanna White’s website as well for the latest book updates and blog posts.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013
If I Had a Sister
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There have been days that I wished I had a sister. Especially those days that my two brothers would get a little ornery. Truthfully, they still get a little lot ornery.
{And to my parents who may be reading this, you know how difficult they could be.}
Not that life is always perfect between two sisters – because I happen to have two little girls and know that there are fights. And tears. But there are also conversations at night. And times now and in the future that they will be each other’s encouragement and confidants.
For the past week and a half, one of my cousins from the Netherlands visited us along with her son. It’s never awkward when she visits – just a fun time that we sit and talk, shop together {and for me who dislikes shopping this is saying a LOT}, drink coffee and milkshakes, and just enjoy the time that we have together.
If I could pick a sister, I would definitely pick her.
Today she left our home to head back to her family. Since she left, there have been tears flowing every now and then. The plane ride to visit her family may not be too long, but it isn’t a quick ride in the car.
There’s this ocean that literally separates us.
But – there is also Skype. And the phone. And if we can ever figure it out, we might actually be able to text each other too {those silly phone apps can be so iffy}.
I may not have a sister, but I do have an amazing cousin that I am so thankful to call a friend as well. And that is just as wonderful.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Natural Remedy for Heartburn
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Essential Oil Mix for Heartburn

- 1 drop of Young Living lemon essential oil
- 1 drop of Young Living peppermint essential oil
- a few drops of carrier oil (olive oil or coconut oil)
- adds a great scent to homemade cleaners
- add a drop to water for flavoring
- freshen breath {add a drop to a small water spritz bottle}
- help with digestive issues {add a drop to a glass of water}
- relieve headaches {massage into temples with a carrier oil}
- watch this video on Peppermint Essential Oil from my friend Jodi
Make Your Own Heartburn Essential Oil Mixture
Do you use essential oils with your family? I’d love to hear what remedies you have found work for you!























