Learning to live a simple life, being a keeper of the home, obedient to my husband(Titus 2:4-5), teacher of my children(Proverbs 6:20-24), all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31)
I have been so blessed by Krystal from The Clever Mommy Chronicles today! She designed a brand new button for A Mom After God's Own Heart! I think it is so cute!!! Thank you so much Krystal!!!
Please feel free to grab it and replace it with the old button! It is one the sidebar, but I am also posting it here:
Wow, this past weekend just flew by! I cannot believe it is Monday again. For many of my readers it is Memorial Day. So Happy Long Weekend to you all! As you enjoy a long weekend, I encourage you to remember those in the Military that have served, and continue to serve, for the freedom that is enjoyed by living in the United States. As for myself, and my Canadian readers, we had our Victoria Day long weekend last week, and therefore today is a work day for us:(
I always enjoy Mondays because I get to join in the fun over at I'm An Organizing Junkie. Today is Menu Plan Monday, so head over and link up your plans for yummy meals this week!
This week I have decided to make this a Favorites week for meals. So without further delay, here is what is on the menu in my household this week!
Monday - Chicken Fingers and Fries (homemade fries), mixed veggies
As many of you know, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in January 2010. At that time I weighed 188lb, and I am only 5'2"....so just a tad overweight. Well actually, according to my BMI and my doctor, obese! I not only had the diagnosis of diabetes to think about, but my cholestoreal was borderline high, and some of my other bloodwork was also borderline high. My doctor wanted me to try to control everything by adding more exercise and diet control into my lifestyle, so that is what I did. If not, it would be meds and because I am only 37, she did not want me to go that route yet!
Now it is almost June and about a month ago, I got the best news! Not only have I lost 25lb, but I have brought all my levels to normal, including my blood sugar!!! I have been able to reverse my high blood sugar! Yes, I will always be diabetic, but at this time it is controlled!! WOO HOO!
As of today I weigh 164lb, and will do a post in about 30 days and give you the new weight, and how the month went.
That said, I still have about 40lb to lose and I am going to keep track of my weight loss journey here on my blog. Here is how I have been able to be successful thus far:
1. Getting Active
I have been working out using the Wii Console. Specifically, I have been using Wii Fit Plus and love it. I also have My Fitness Coach and Gold's Gym Cardio. The last two are not my favorites, and therefore I hardly use them. But I LOVE Wii FIT PLUS!!!
Since January, I have been working out 3-5 days a week for between 30-60 minutes each, and its been good, but I think I was hitting a plateau because I seemed to not be getting anywhere with weight loss. Clothes are feeling better, etc but weight has not dropped (but gaining muscle for sure!) So decided to step it up a notch!
Today my husband picked up EA Sports Active and I think I have found a new favorite way to work out! It has so many different sports to do! I also set up the 30 Day Challenge and completed Day 1 tonight! I worked out for about an hour tonight, and feel good!
I will be doing the challenge for the next 30 days and keeping you all updated periodically!
If you are trying to loss weight, or just get more active, I highly recommend the Wii. Its a great introduction to a workout routine and getting yourself active!
My next exercise goal occurs on June 23! I registered myself in a 5KM walk and I am so excited. It is my first event of the year and I am looking forward to it! My ultimate goal is to hopefully walk/run a 1/2 marathon sometime next year. I will keep you posted:)
2. Nutrition
Exercise has been a big part of my weight loss journey, however nutrition has played an even bigger role. I have made small changes, but they have had HUGE impacts! Not only to help reverse my diabetes but help me shed pounds and feel so awesome!
I have gone from buying a lot of processed, pre-made stuff, to doing almost entirely all homemade meals. I also cut out almost all added sugar, switched from white pasta to whole wheat, brown breads instead of white, reading labels like crazy, and most importantly PORTION CONTROL! I did not realize how big of portions I was really eating all these years. Wow, its amazing what you find out, when you really take the time to watch.
So there you have it, in a nutshell, the start of my journey to a healthier me! I am so glad that I have taken this step. Not only am I getting healthy but I am setting a great example to my young children, and influencing my hubby too! My 3.5 year old even does Wii Fit with me (she loves the yoga and ski jumping - so cute!)
If you have been procrastinating getting healthy, just do it! Get healthy...if not for you, for your loved ones. You want to be around for them right?
THOUGHTS: I would love to know...what are some of your health goals for the rest of this year? Health tips?
So it is once again Saturday and time for Then Sings My Soul Saturday, hosted by Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders! This is one of my favorite blog meme's to be a part of because I get so encouraged stopping by each blog and hearing so wonderful music! Be blessed this weekend all my readers and be encouraged in all circumstances you might be in! God is good all the time!
One of my favorite praise and worship leaders/singers is Matt Redman. His music is a definite gift from the Lord and it has encouraged me so much! My prayer is that these songs will be an encouragement to you as well!
One of my favorite blogs to stop by at, Simply Stacie, is now hosting a new Friday Blog Hop, called Fun Follow Friday. It is also hosted by another favorite place of mine, My Wee View! Check it out today, join in and have fun finding new and awesome blogs to visit!
You can also stop by Trendy Treehouse (another personal favorite) and join in the fun of Follow Me Friday, and New Friday Follow, hosted by The Girl Creative (another fave!)
I love Fridays not only because the weekend is upon us in only a few short hours, but because I have been able to join many of these blog hops and find some awesome new bloggy friends! Thanks to all my followers and welcome to my new ones! Hope you enjoy my blog, A Mom After God's Own Heart and come back often! God bless!
Learn how God often does His best work in our most hopeless situations.
What do you do with a shattered dream? Or an unmet expectation? What do you do when your life isn't turning out the way you thought it would? What do you do when you have to turn to Plan B?
In Plan B pastor and author Pete Wilson uses real life stories of disappointments and hurts along with the biblical stories of men and women like David, Joseph, and Ruth to help readers come to grips with the truth that they will face situations that in themselves they are completely unable to handle but that in them God is simply trying to get them to surrender their plans so that they can receive His. He identifies our common responses to difficulties and offers hope, helping us to
Understand what God might be up to
See how surrender helps us to receive God's plan
Embrace the community of believers
Reconcile a God of love with a life of tragedy and suffering
Wilson points readers to the cross as not just the starting line but the centerpiece of our story with God and shares that it is there we turn in our Plan B and find the undeniable relationship between crisis and our hope followed by true spiritual transformation. "God wants to live inside the questions" says Wilson and then reminds us that "the cross is proof that He does not always change the circumstance but that He always has a purpose in every circumstance. He will never let go of us. He will hold us and His cross will be an anchor for us."
Pete Wilson is the founding and senior pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN, the second church he has planted in the last seven years. Pete graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in communications then attended seminary at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. His desire is to see churches become radically devoted to Christ, irrevocably committed to one another, and relentlessly dedicated to reaching those outside of God's family.
He is married to Brandi and together they have three boys. When not spending time with church or family he enjoys playing golf and playing golf and playing golf
My Review:
This book was a very necessary read for me, in light of life in the last eight years or so. Life now is relatively calm, happy, and I am content with where I am and what I am doing with my life. But it was not always this way.
The journey to get where I am now was full of Plan B moments, as Wilson calls them. Moments in life where things just did not happen the way I thought they should. Key word is "I", not God. Getting cancer at 32, dealing with infertility problems, getting pregnant(!) yet experiencing a premature baby and long NICU stay, having another baby (thank you God!) but having a terribly difficult pregnancy, my parents splitting up after 35 years of marriage, and a sister passing away, and most recently dealing with some major marriage issues of my own! All of these events have not been my plan, but God knew it would happen and He walked me through! With hope and faith in Him, I am who I am and where I am today!
Wilson delivers a wonderfully, easy to read, well-written & organized book that will bring you through you own Plan B moments, whether in the past or yet to come. Wilson examines experiences from a variety of people, including well known men and women of the Bible: David, Joesph, and Job.
The one story that really impacted me was the story of Todd and Angie Smith. Todd Smith is from the music group, Selah, and when they were expecting baby number four, their lives were delivered a Plan B like they could not imagine. Their baby was given a diagnosis of Trisomy 18, with most babies not surviving to full term. Todd and Angie had to wait on the Lord's plan. As Wilson quoted them in the book, they were, "planning for a loss and hoping for miracles". That was not to be, and their beautiful baby girl, Audrey, lived for two hours before going to her eternal home with Jesus. I am sure they have asked the question, "Why?" a million times (which they both admit they have), but the one thing that they have clung to, and that Wilson so eloquently states in his book, is that even when we are helpless, we are not hopeless in Jesus Christ! Angie states this in her journal, as quoted in Wilson's book, "You weighed three pounds, but your life mattered. You can go througth all the reasons of why, but he allowed it to happen so he could draw people to himself. We feel we were chosen to be a part of this". (p. 190) WOW!!!
He will get us through our Plan B moments. Even when we have to wait (as Sarah and Abraham, Job, Noah, and countless other in the Bible did), there is a purpose.
Wilson says this about waiting through out Plan B moments:
"It is so important to realize waiting does not always lead to the outcome we hoped for. But you already know this. That is what makes waiting so difficult. If you're in the midst of waiting for a miracle or waiting for a dream to be realized, you probably feel hopeless. You may feel frustrated and grumpy and plain old tired of waiting. You may feel like the waiting is a waste of time as if you are doing nothing at all. But you're not doing nothing, not at all. In fact, this waiting may be the most important something you can and need to do. What you're doing is allowing your hope to grow up. And if you can't be still and wait and hope, even when you have no reason to hope, you can't become the person God created when He thought you into existence...no matter how difficult the waiting is, there is a purpose...to let God be our hope" (p. 190-191)
If you are currently in a Plan B moment, or have been in one and just can't move up from it, I highly recommend you read this book. If you know someone in a Plan B moment of life, get this book for them. It will be a life changer, and life saver!
BUY IT: You can purchase Plan B: What To Do When God Doesn't Show Up The Way You Thought He Would? online here, directly through Thomas Nelson. It is also available through your favorite local Christian bookseller May 2010
***Book provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.***
Rachel Watkins has her hands full. Her mother had been the town midwife, but when her daughter Alice died under her care, she refused to assist in a childbirth ever again. Since thenRachel has assumed the work. She also takes care of Alice's six-year old, Charlotte, because the child's father was lost in World War I. But Rachel's principal job is running the boardinghouse that is the family's main source of income.
One day, Charlotte befriends a stranger ill with influenza, a man who has taken refuge in an old cabin in the woods nearby. Although badly scarred by wounds suffered in the War, he is strong and slowly recovers. When he gradually takes on odd jobs around the house, Rachel accepts his help. She is drawn to him despite his disfigurement, and his voice is comforting, vaguely familiar..
About The Author:
Dorothy Garlock is the author of over 50 novels that have sold over 15 million copies and are published in 15 languages. She lives in Iowa.
My Review:
I was recently introduced to the work of Dorothy Garlock and when I had the opportunity to review her work once again, I jumped at the chance! I love her writing! Stay A Little is very well written and I loved all the characters. The story developed over time, which took a little getting used to, but still kept my interest fine. This is an easy to read romance, though not at all cheesy, and if you have been a fan of Dorothy Garlock in the past, you will not be disappointed with this book.
I highly recommend it and give this book a thumbs up!
BUY IT: You can purchase Stay A Little Longer by Dorothy Garlock online, through Amazon.com and Amazon.ca - it is also available through your local bookseller.
WIN IT: Five (5) readers will win a copy of Stay A Little Longer
TO WIN: Easy Peasy - Comment on this post or any other from the week!
Jay is new in town. He's young, successful, and single, and he's not afraid to plop down in a church pew to scope out the females. But in the murky waters of the South Carolina singles scene, Jay's whole world is in danger of being turned upside down.
You can read an excerpt of Flabbergasted here. About The Author:
Ray Blackston worked as a stock buyer and a broker for eleven years before cashing in his modest 401k and leaving his corporate cubicle to write full time. He is the author of several books and lives in South Carolina.
My Review:
This was such a fun book to read! The first thing that caught my attention was the vibrant cover! Just looking at the cover makes you want to read this book!
It is a romance of sorts, but from a man's view, which is very uncommon. I love that the main character Jay thought church would be a great place to meet girls (LOL,) and in the process God worked some major changes in him! Through reading this book one thing is evident (both to the characters, eventually, and to the reader) our ways are not His ways and His timing is not ours....we need to be open to whatever He brings us to!
Mr. Blackston did a remarkable job portraying all the wonderful characters and I felt that I was right in the scenes throughout reading this novel. If you are looking for some fun summer reading, with a strong Christian/Gospel message, then Flabbergasted is the book for you! I love that Blackston delves into the topic that Christianity is not about religion but about relationship! Awesome job at bringing that through the medium of a novel, Mr. Blackston! You will laugh and cry while reading this easy to read, well-written debut book! I look forward to seeing if a sequel will be in the future!
I highly recommend it and give it a huge thumbs up!
BUY IT: You can purchase Flabbergasted online here, directly from Revell Books, as division of Baker Publishing House as of May 2010. It is also available at your favorite, local Christian bookseller.
***Thank you to Revell Books and Graf-Martin for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review on this blog***
Here's your 40-day plan for reclaiming your life Do you feel too busy? Do you worry about the future? Do disappointments in life drain your joy? It doesn't have to be that way! In What Happened to My Life? personal life coach and speaker Danna Demetre invites you to join her on a 40-day journey where you'll learn to
slow down and make good choices
reinterpret life and have more realistic expectations
choose the very best from all the good
pursue God in a life-changing way
Whether you're dealing with a crisis or simply feeling that life is not all you'd hoped for, you'll learn to find authentic contentment and joy regardless of your circumstances. It's time to move from simply surviving to truly thriving once again!
About The Author:
Danna Demetre is an international author and speaker with a passion for encouraging women toward a life of greater balance. She is a former radio talk show host and frequent media guest as well as president and founder of Women of Purpose, an outreach ministry. She lives in SanDiego, California, with her husband and adopted grandson.
This book has been a God-send to me. I am in the stage in my life where I feel I am labeled only as a mom and wife. I want more than that....and I am more than that....I am a daughter, sister, friend and most importantly, a daughter of the King.
Demetre has written a wonderful book that reminded me to slow down, and make time for my Maker. To surround myself with people and things that will help me glorify Him always. I love that she reminds me (and other readers) to feed my mind only that which will help to transform my mind.
With sound Biblical advice and lessons from both her life, and others, you will be brought on a journey that will change your life. I love that the book includes a 40 day journal. I will definitely be setting on the 40 day journal and I am looking forward to being changed and stretched! I need it!!! It does not matter what stage you are in as a woman (single, married, widowed, have children, or childless) or what you have been through, God wants you to be content in Him, and Him alone!
One point made by Demetre that really impacted me was this:
"Loving God fully is our purpose. It is a lifelong quest, and we never fully arrive. But as we surrender to His will, trust fully in his Word, and follow Him with all your hearts, we slowly fall in love with him more and more. If our busyness and plans are getting us so stressed-out and distracted that we aren't spending quality time with God, then we will never love Him with our entire being. If loving God is our "one thing", then we must invest our thoughts and energy on making that our most important lifequest." (p.37, talking about Martha and Jesus in Luke 10:38-42)
I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!
BUY IT: You can purchase What Happened To My Life: Finding New Passion, Purpose, and Joy by Danna Demetre online here, through Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing House. It is available May 2010 and is also available through your favorite local bookseller.
***Thank you to Revell Books and Graf-Martian for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review on this blog***
In the future, it’s possible to live forever—but at what cost?
A.D. 2088.
Missionary daughter Abigail Caldwell emerges from the jungle for the first time in her thirty-four years, the sole survivor of a mysterious disease that killed her village. Abby goes to America, only to discover a nation where Christianity has completely died out. A curious message from her grandfather assigns her a surprising mission: re-introduce the Christian faith in America, no matter how insurmountable the odds.
But a larger threat looms. The world's leading artificial intelligence industrialist has perfected a technique for downloading the human brain into a silicon form. Brain transplants have begun, and with them comes the potential of eliminating physical death altogether—but at what expense?
As Abby navigates a society grown more addicted to stimulating the body than nurturing the soul, she and Creighton Daniels, a historian troubled by his father's unexpected death, become unwitting targets of powerful men who will stop at nothing to further their nefarious goals. Hanging in the balance—the spiritual future of all humanity.
In this fast-paced thriller, startling near-future science collides with thought-provoking religious themes to create a spell-binding "what-if?" novel.
About The Author:
David Gregory is the coauthor of two nonfiction books and a frequent conference speaker. After a ten-year business career, he returned to school to study religion and communications, earning two master's degrees. David lives in Texas, where he works for a nonprofit organization.
You can read an excerpt of The Last Christian here.
Do you want to read a novel that is going to keep you thinking and pondering for days after you read it, keep you intrigued until the very last pages, and take you on a journey between faith and science? Then this book, The Last Christian is for you!
It is a fast-paced thriller, that is well-written with characters and plots that reminded me of the classic thriller writers like James Patterson (without the gruesome details). It is a quick read, but will definitely make you think, thus making it very deep and thought-provoking at times.
I love that the book contains the wonderful Gospel message, but not in an overpowering manner!The book definitely does not end in a neat and tidy way, making me wonderful if Gregory has plans for a sequel....only time will tell.
I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!
BUY IT: You can purchase The Last Christian by David Gregory online, directly from Waterbrook Multnomah. It is also available through your favorite, local Christian bookseller.
WIN IT: One reader will win a copy of The Last Christian by David Gregory
TO ENTER: Head over to Waterbrook Multnomah and let me know what other book catches your attention
Be the Strong, Confident, and Caring Woman You Were Meant to Be
Tired of doing all you can for others while your relationships remain stuck in neutral--or headed in reverse? Paul Coughlin and psychologist Jennifer Degler show how being nice can harm you and drain the life out of your relationships. They explore the keys to fulfillment at home, work, church, and even in the bedroom. You'll discover that emulating the real Jesus is the key to transforming from a Christian Nice Girl into an authentic, powerful woman of loving faith.
About The Author:
Paul Coughlin is an international speaker and hosts a radio talk show in southern Oregon. He is the author of No More Christian Nice Guy, Married But Not Engaged, and No More Jellyfish, Chickens or Wimps. Paul has been interviewed by Newsweek, Good Morning America, Nightline, C-SPAN, The New York Times, and The LA Times, among other media. His articles have appeared in many publications, including New Man, Faithworks, Today's Christian, Today's Christian Woman, and Ministries Today. He has also been editor of a weekly newspaper and a radio station program director. Paul is a happily married father, and is a contributor and blogger for Crosswalk.com. The Coughlin family lives in Medford, Oregon. Visit Paul's website at PaulCoughlin.net.
Jennifer D. Degler, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and life coach. A frequent speaker at women's events and marriage retreats, she also maintains a counseling practice, seeing adults, children, and couples for psychotherapy. She is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and the founder of Creating Christian Change, a life coaching enterprise that works with clients across the United States helping them to create lives they love. She has been interviewed by the Lexington Herald-Leader and local NBC and CBS affiliates as an expert in life coaching and mental health issues. Jennifer and her husband, Jeff, live in Lexington, Kentucky, with their two teenage children.
This book is a must read for every women, no matter what age or stage you are in. Do you feel guilty for saying "no", yet feel like you are a "mat" to be stepped on, and pulled in a million different directions?
I know I have felt this one on more than one occasion. But girls, we need to live differently. This is not the way God wants us to live our lives. We don't have to say "yes" all the time.
No More Christian Nice Girl will show you how to say "no" so that you will learn boundaries and create the family, relationships, marriage, career and even the sex life God fully intended you to have in the first place!
This book is full of Biblically sound advice that will teach you that being firm and assertive at times is not a bad thing. There is even an awesome chart at the end of the book of all the times where Jesus, himself was firm and assertive. He is our ultimate example that there is a time to be "nice" but there is also times to stand up for what is right, even being the "no more nice"!
A very well-written and easy read book that is well organized and will change your life for the better! I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!
BUY IT: You can purchase No More Christian Nice Girl online here, through Bethany House Publishers, available May 2010. It is also available through your favorite, local Christian bookseller
***A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House and Graf-Martin, for the purpose of review on this blog***
It is the summer of 1959 and Mariette Puttnam has just graduated from boarding school. When she returns to her privileged life at home, she isn't sure where life will take her. More schooling? A job? Marriage? Nothing feels right. How could she know that she would find the answer waiting for her in the narrow stairwell of her father's apparel factory, exactly between the third and fourth floors?
In this unique and tender romance, popular author Eva Marie Everson takes you on a journey through the heart of a young woman bound for the unknown. Discover the joys of new love, the perseverance of deep friendship, and the gift of forgiveness that comes from a truly fine life.
About The Author:
Eva Marie Everson is a successful speaker, a popular radio personality, and the award-winning author of Things Left Unspoken. She is coauthor of The Potluck Club series and The Potluck Catering Club series. She lives in Florida.
You can read an excerpt here. (PDF format) My Review:
This is the first of Eva Marie Everson's books I have read and I loved it! This Fine Life is well-written, and very easy to read. It is a quick read that will keep your attention right until the last pages. What I liked the best about this book is that is, although it is a romance, it is very different than any other romance I have read. I love that this book shows that marriage takes work, that its not always easy, but that with God at your side, marriage will overcome any obstacles. A very pleasant, and much needed, message for today's messages, especially when the divorce rate within the church is equal to those outside of the church. I also love that it shows that those in ministry are "real people with real problems". As you read This Fine Life, you will definitely related to at least one of the characters throughout the book. The storylines are brought together in a clear and concise manner and I really enjoyed this book alot.
I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!
BUY IT: You can purchase This Fine Life by Eva Marie Everson online here, directly through Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group
***A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell Books, and Graf-Martin Communications for the purpose of review on this blog***
Life isn't always easy for women today! In the shuffle of so many responsibilities, it's easy to lose focus on pursuing godliness in every task. That's why a woman must train herself to reflect on everything she encounters and determine whether or not it encourages holiness. Her character, relationships, ministry, even her soul--all need to be examined and ultimately surrendered to God before she can develop the godly character she so desperately wants. Through poignant stories and faithful reminders, Barbara Hughes encourages women to discipline every area so that God is most glorified and they are most unified with Him.
About The Author:
Barbara Hughes has supported her husband Kent’s pastoral ministry for 37 years while also raising four children. She is a popular teacher of women’s groups and, together with Kent, has authored Common-Sense Parenting and Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome.
This was the first book I have read by Barbara Hughes, and I am so glad that I chose to review this particular book! This book is organized into every imaginable topic for every woman, whether married or single, mom or not. Topics include submission, money, marriage, singleness, and our behavior. The book is divided into four sections: Soul, Character, Relationships and Ministry. All of the author's points are backed up with sound scriptural advice and life experiences from all walks of life! It is an extremely easy to read and well written book. I love the fact that you can either read it right through (as I did for the purpose of review) or you can read it chapter by chapter, based on your needs or stage in life (which I am planning to do again). I highly recommend this book for all woman, and give it a HUGE thumbs up!
BUY IT: You can purchase Disciplines Of A Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes online here, directly through its publisher, Crossway.
***Thank you to Crossway for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review on this blog***
God’s Word is full of wonderful, true stories. More importantly, the Bible is God’s instruction for us, teaching us the best way to live. Through it we learn about Jesus and God’s love for us.
Did you know you can read your Bible anytime and anywhere? You can memorize verses and share what you learn with others too! In I Love My Bible!, Debby Anderson teaches the truth of God’s Word and shares many verses for us to learn. By obeying what the Bible says, we can grow strong and know more about God every day.
For Adults
Children have lots of questions about the Bible: What’s in it? Who wrote it? How is it different from other books? Why should I study the Bible? This book will help parents and children discover the answers to those questions.
Through a story of explorers searching for buried treasure, readers will see Bible study as a life-changing adventure. It will inspire in them a respect for the truth, uniqueness, and authority of Scripture, and encourage them with the Lord’s promises. They will come to see Scripture’s importance to their lives and be equipped with the basic tools for beginning a lifelong love of the Bible.
Debby Anderson is a kindergarten teacher and mother of four. She and her husband, Gordon, serve with the American Missionary Fellowship where Debby enjoys opportunities to share God’s love with children from all different backgrounds and cultures. Debby has written and illustrated more than 20 books.
My Review:
This absolutely adorable book is just the book to introduce your child to the Bible. It is full of bright colored illustrations, and is full of scripture and thorough theology, with which your child will gain a wonderful start their Bible learning.
The book is designed for children ages 4-7 and I agree with this recommendation. It is the perfect book to read to your non-reading children and its just enough of a challenge for the new-reader in your home. I also love that this book includes cultures from around the world, a great way to teach children that though we may all look different we are all loved by God!
This will be one book I will be holding onto for a long time to come, and I am definitely going to get more of the books in this series my Debby Anderson! I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!
BUY IT: You can I Love My Bible by Debby Anderson online here, directly through Crossway Publishers. It is also available through your favorite, local Christian bookseller.
***Thank you to Crossway for providing me with complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review on this blog****
Well, today is the final day of my Putumayo Music Spotlight Week! I have had the great pleasure of reviewing four wonderful new, and upcoming releases from Putumayo World Music and Putumayo Kids! I hope you have enjoyed the music this week, as much as I have.
I am excited to announce that Putumayo will be a sponsor for Blogmania, happening September 15 and 16, 2010! Not sure which CD's they will have me giving away, but if the past releases are any indication, they will be wonderful!!! Keep you eyes peeled here on A Mom After God's Own Heart for more details coming soon!
About Putumayo Kids:
Putumayo Kids is the children’s and educational division of Putumayo World Music. As one of the leading children’s record labels, Putumayo Kids is committed to introducing children to other cultures through music from around the world.
With its growing collection of CDs featuring multilingual liner notes, Putumayo Kids produces music that entertains, educates and inspires cultural curiosity. More than 3 million Putumayo Kids CDs have been sold around the world. At least one percent of the CD sales benefit non-profit groups that support children, families, schools and other charities. Putumayo World Music has contributed more than $1 million dollars to non-profit organizations that do good work in the regions where the music originates.
On March 9th, Putumayo Kids will add to its acclaimed Playground series with the release of Jazz Playground, a new collection of international jazz songs for children. From bebop and swing to Latin and African jazz, this multicultural CD celebrates the vibrant diversity and global influence of jazz and will get the whole family grooving!
Over the last century, jazz has traveled around the world and influenced musicians in even the most remotecorners of the earth. Jazz Playground demonstrates how artists in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania have adopted jazz and made it their own. Featuring a new, colorful storybook-style booklet and glossary of musical terms, Jazz Playground pairs sophisticated sounds with kid-friendly lyrics. “Mary Had a Little Lamb” gets a jazzy new twist in the hands of New York City-based Israeli saxophonist and jazz educator Oran Etkin and Brooklynite Charanee Wade, while American artist Barbara Morrison delivers a smooth and cool version of the British classic “Sing a
Song of Sixpence.”
On “Oyatsu No Jikan,” Japan’s Modern Conya celebrates sharing at snack time and Latin artist Jose Conde offers the irresistible sing-along “Cumbamba.” Gui Tavares brings his Brazilian bossa nova/jazz crossover sound to “Dois Meninos” and Australian bands Kinderjazz and The Mighty Buzzniks infuse their songs with loads of fun and humor from the land down under. Bringing the album back to the original home of jazz, New Orleans-born artists Ingrid Lucia closes with the classic song “This Little Light of Mine.”
A division of Putumayo World Music, Putumayo Kids is committed to introducing children to the world through fun, upbeat collections of music. Putumayo Kids CDs are sold in more than 100 countries around the globe. Other CDs in the Playground series include best-sellers World Playground and Animal Playground. For more information, visit www.putumayokids.com.
You can see inside the Jazz Playground Storybooklet here.
If you are a teacher, you will definitely want to check out the Jazz Playground Teacher Guide here!
Finally, you can listen to samples of all the tracks on Jazz Playground here.
My Review:
Jazz Playground will make you feel like you in the middle of New Orleans, and your feet will be moving in no time at all! Included in the CD case, is a cute little storybook that teaches your child about Jazz music, and has a great mini glossary of Jazz music terms like Skat, Swing and Bebop! Jazz Playground is the most recent addition to the Playground series and it is just as great as the other four CD's in the collection!
A great addition to any family's music collection. I highly recommend it and give it a huge thumbs up!
BUY IT: You can purchase Jazz Playground online here, directly from Putumayo Kids. It can also be found at your local music stores and at some bookstores (I have seen it at Chapters in Alberta, Canada)
WIN IT: One Reader will win a copy of Jazz Playground AND a Sampler CD of the best of Putumayo World Music from the last 15 years!
TO WIN: Head to Putumayo Kids and tell me one other CD you would love to have!
Welcome to Saturday, and I am so excited because it is Then Sings My Soul Saturdays, hosted by Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders. You must head over there and check out the list of blogs involved. There are some wonderful, inspirational music to encourage you right where you are!
Whatever circumstance you are in this week, know that God has a purpose in it, whether it is painful or happy, hard or easy. Whatever wilderness experience you are in right now, know that you will be a stronger person for going through it!
Well, apparently all good things have to come to an end with Friday Follow, and last week was apparently the last week for Midday Escapes, One2Try and Hearts Make Families to host Friday Follow! I am sad about that, as I made many new follower through them and found some amazing new blogs to follow too!
However, Follow Me Friday and New Friend Friday are both still running, due to the hosts' Trendy Treehouse and The Girl Creative! Here are the details for both!
Here are the "rules" for New Friend Follow!
Add a link to your main blog
Visit the blog of the person whose name is above your name in the list and comment on their blog.
Visit as many blogs as you can and leave comments telling them you are visiting from New Friend Friday at The Girl Creative.
There is no obligation to follow everyone who follows you. Please just follow the blogs that are of interest to you. :)
So head over and link up today! Make a ton of new "Blog Friends" and find some great new blogs to follow! I have really enjoyed the blog hopping I have done the last few weeks!
Blogmania is still four months away but the buzz is crazy for this awesome two day Giveaway event! The blogs involved have been gathering SPECTACULAR prizes for the event and A Mom's After God's Own Heart is jumping in with both feet!!! As of today, I have just under $1000 in prizes to giveaway over the two days!!! I am just in awe of the generosity of the sponsors I have been able to secure thus far!
My Themes for Blogmania are Child's Play and Mommy's Time Out Kit! There will be prizes for Canada only, US only and a combo of Canada and US entries! Keep you eyes open over the next few months as I feature some wonderful Etsy Shops and Companies that are going to be a part of this awesome event, such as:
Discovery Toys
Noodlehead Fun
Golden Path Alchemy
Scentsy
Putumayo Music
Lennah Designs
Royal Rugrats Etsy Store
Lemon Ball Etsy Store
My Silly Blue Hippo Etsy Store
Hachette Book Group
AND MANY MORE!!!!
I am so excited to bring all these wonderful prizes to you, my readers and just know the other 100+ blogs involved have amazing giveaways planned too!
Bella couldn't be happier that two of her long-feuding relatives have finally admitted their love for one another and are getting married. Their forties-style wedding is sure to be a night to remember. But when the Rossi house begins to fill up with family from Italy--and an old mobster from New Jersey--life starts to get complicated. Will a friend from the past drive the happy couple apart once more? And will Bella ever have time to think of her own rapidly approaching wedding amid the chaos? Full of humor, plenty of Italian passion, and a bit of Texas gumption, It Had to Be You will have you laughing out loud and wiping a tear from your eye.
About The Author:
Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and native Texan. An experienced wedding coordinator herself, Thompson brings alive in her books the everyday drama and humor of getting married. She is the author of Fools Rush In and Swinging on a Star. She lives in Texas.
You can read an excerpt of this book here (in PDF format)
My Review:
This is the third book in the Weddings By Bellas series, and it was just as good as the other two books! I loved it! It Had To Be you is very well written, with well developed, and so lovable, characters! It is a super quick read, and though part of a series, it could hold its own as a stand-alone novel (although reading the other two books gives you a good background to the characters). There is some hysterical chaos that ensues when you have a large, Italian family getting together to have a wedding. I am part-Italian, so I can totally relate to this chaos! There is never a dull moment in this book, and you will laugh and cry at the antics displayed through the author! A great read, and I highly recommend it for you summer reading list!
BUY IT: Available at your favourite booksellerfromRevell, a division of Baker Publishing Group"
Celebrated children’s music label Putumayo Kids is set to release a tribute to the early history of rock & roll with their newest CD, Rock & Roll Playground, due out June 29th. Kids of all ages can shake, rattle and roll to music by a stellar group of established and up-and-coming artists. A charmingly illustrated read-aloud booklet also accompanies the CD, with notes about the history of rock & roll and the story of each song.
The songs on Rock & Roll Playground were recorded in recent years but were inspired by the evolution of the genre. Grammy® Award winners Dan Zanes and Friends invite you to “bug” and “twist” on the song “Let’s Shake,” while rockabilly royalty Rosie Flores churns out feverish licks on “This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin’.” Grammy Award winner Taj Mahal and Linda Tillery lend an infectious Bo Diddley beat to “Willie and The Hand Jive,” and noted singer-songwriter Peter Himmelman delivers a classic rock performance on “Little Bitty Baby.”
Grammy Award winner Bill Harley sings about a slumbering teenage brother in “Sleep the Whole Day Through” and Uncle Rock performs a blues-infused cover of the Steppenwolf classic “Magic Carpet Ride.” Rock & Roll Playground also features 2009 Grammy nominee Brady Rymer as well as Charity and the JAMband; New Jersey’s StarFish; Parents’ Choice® Gold award winner Roger Day; Melissa Green and John Lennon Songwriting Contest winners Rhythm Child. Says Dan Storper, founder and C.E.O. of Putumayo World Music, “Putumayo Kids has become known for introducing children to the music of other cultures. Rock music exploded onto the scene during my
childhood. It’s fitting that as we raise our five-year-old son William in New Orleans, the home of many rock & roll legends, that Putumayo is presenting a collection of rock songs that children in America and around the world are sure to enjoy.”
Widely recognized as one of the most innovative children’s music labels in the world, the award-winning Putumayo Kids is committed to introducing children to different cultures through fun, upbeat collections of music from around the world. Putumayo Kids CDs are sold in more than 5,000 toy stores, children’s boutiques, bookstores and other specialty stores in more than 75 countries. Recent CDs in the Playground series include Reggae Playground, Jazz Playground and the food-themed release Picnic Playground. For more information on these releases, visit www.putumayokids.com
You can hear samples from Rock and Roll Playground here.
Rock & Roll Playground is probably one of my favorite children's music CD's right now. It is fun and will get both children and adults moving and grooving! You and your whole family will be loving this upcoming release (June 26, 2010) from Putumayo for a long time to come. This CD is a fun way to introduce children to Rock and Roll, without exposing them to unwanted lyrics and lifestyles that come with adult rock music. I highly recommend this CD and give it a huge thumbs up!
BUY IT: Rock and Roll Playground is not yet available, but will be June 26, 2010 on the official Putumayo Kids website.
WIN IT: One (1) reader will win a copy of Rock and Roll Playground and a Sampler CD of Putumayo Music from the last 15 years!
TO ENTER: Head over to Putumayo Kids and tell me one other CD you would love to have
I have to admit first off, I have not always like to cook and bake. In fact, for the first nine years of my marriage, I rarely did the cooking. My husband knew this was not my strong point and he would do it (and he is an awesome cook!). However, after having my kids, I realized that if I don't cook/bake, then nobody is going to eat. I embraced my role as stay-at-home mom about 2 years ago, when we decided that I would stay home full time. I now cook the majority of my meals from scratch and one of my favorite small appliances to use is my crock pot! I love that I can put together an entire meal in the morning and not have to do anything else with it, but enjoy the wonderful smells throughout the day! It makes my life so much easier!
I was recently able to review the cook book, Fix It & Forget It: Revised and Updated Edition!
The Fix It & Forget It Story:
Phyllis Pellman Good loves food. She's especially concerned for those who don't have enough time to cook, as well as those who lack the confidence to cook.
Phyllis and her husband, Merle, launched the Fix-It and Forget-It franchise in 2000, after many years of publishing popular cookbooks. "Food sustains us, both physically and socially. I want to make it possible to prepare food at home, despite our hectic lives, and to be able to share it together.
The Fix-It and Forget-It cookbooks make it possible to prepare nutritious, tasty meals every day.
You can make Welcome-Home food in a matter of minutes.
Each cookbook's pages are packed with recipes. Each cookbook has between 500 and 800 recipes.
The books sell for peanuts!
The recipes call for just a few ingredients -- and they're readily available.
Many of the recipes are offered in multiple variations. Find the one that suits your taste -- and for the ingredients which you have on hand.
Preparations are easy; the ingredients are reasonably priced.
The food you dish out of your slow cooker is delicious, healthy -- and satisfying.
Everybody eats well -- without the cook being under pressure.
Everyone goes away from the table happy -- with little preparation time or shopping money spent.
Little fuss. Lots of flavor!
About Fix It and Forget It - Revised & Updated Edition:
The book has already sold more than 5 million copies, so we didn't want to spoil it! We have only added a few enhancements to this original cookbook in the wildly claimed Fix-It and Forget-It cookbook series:
Brand New: 100 new recipes for slow cookers.
Brand New: "Prep Time," "Cooking Time," and "Ideal Slow-Cooker Size" are included for each recipe.
Brand New: 4 pages of basic and very helpful "Extra Information":
"Substitute Ingredients for When You're in a Pinch"
"Equivalent Measurements"
"Kitchen Tools and Equipment You May Have Overlooked"
"Assumptions about Ingredients in Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook, Revised and Updated"
Brand New: 1 page of "Tips for Using Your Slow Cooker: a Friendly, Year-Round Appliance."
Brand New: Additional tips and tricks for making the most of your slow cooker, spread throughout the book.
Brand New: A second color -- a rich purple -- for recipe titles, contributors' names and addresses, the words "Tip" and "Variation," and the numbered instruction steps.
Brand New: The drawings on the opening pages of chapters and the spot illustrations throughout.
Brand New: 1 page of tip-in color, right inside the front cover.
Brand New: 2 pages of review excerpts to position the original book's success, immediately following the tip-in page of color.
Revised: An improved Index!
Revised: A personal Introduction to the book by author Phyllis Pellman Good.
Revised: Good's personal comments and voice throughout the recipes.
We've learned a lot since the original Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook first quietly appeared. Now you and your customers can benefit with this new edition of the beloved favorite -- Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook REVISED and UPDATED!
My Review:
I have seen the original Fix It & Forget It book as several friends and family own it, but I have never had the pleasure to use it, until now. What an awesome cookbook! In the two weeks I have had this book, I have used five recipes from Fix It and Forget It. They are the following:
1. Tasty Meatball Stew (p. 35) 2. Gone All Day Casserole (p. 85) 3. California Chicken (p. 178) 4. Easy Teriyaki Chicken (p. 181) 5. Easy Chicken A La King (p. 184)
All five of these recipes were incredibly easy to prepare and tasted very good! The temperatures and times posted in recipes for cooking were exact and needed no adjusting with my personal crockpot. That said, each one is different and therefore, you may need to adjust your own according to recipes.
Here is just one of the recipes that I would like to share with you.
Gone All Day Chicken
1 cup uncooked wild rice, rinsed and drained 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup chopped carrots 2 4oz cans mushrooms, drained 1 large onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 cup slivered almonds 3 beef bouillon cubes 2.5 tsp seasoned salt 2lb boneless round steak, cut into 1 inch cubes 3 cups water
1. Place ingredients in order listed in slow cooker. 2. Cover. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until rice is tender. Stir before serving
Variations:
1. Brown beef in saucepan in 2 tbsp oil before putting in slow cooker for deeper flavor 2. Add a bay leaf and 4-6 whole peppercorns to mixture before cooking. Remove before serving 3. Substitute chicken legs and thighs (skin removed) for beef.
The above recipe was very yummy, and really does not need anything else added to it. Your meal is complete when cooked as above. However, I did add a nice green salad for the extra vegetables!
The book is is divided into the following sections: 1. Appetizers, Snacks and Spreads 2. Breakfast Foods 3. Breads 4. Soups, Stews and Chilis 5. Main Dishes (Beef, Pork, Pasta, Chicken & Turkey, Bean, Seafood, Meatless & Other) 6. Vegetables 7. Desserts 8. Beverages
I also love all the new additions to this editions to Fix It and Forget it, like the "What To Substitute", "Basic Slow Cooker Info" and so much more! The book is very well organized and easy to follow! Bright color pictures and tips throughout the book add to its attractiveness. I also love that there is a whole series of the Fix It and Forget It Books, including a Diabetic Cooking one! Very handy, since I am diabetic, and I am definitely going to be purchasing that one in the future.
If you like to prep meals ahead of time or want to start using your crock pot more often, then I highly recommend this book! It would be a wonderful bridal shower gift, or even a baby shower gift as it can meal prep for new moms so much easier! I give this book a huge thumbs up!
BUY IT: You can purchase Fix It and Forget It: Updated & Revised Edition online, through Amazon.com and Amazon.ca
***Thank you to FSB Media for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review on this blog***
