Recommendations
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
I just finished reading Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls. I have an older version of the book (from when I was a kid), but the story is exactly the same. They have a picture every few pages that the girls enjoyed looking at as we read together. Brina and Karlie really enjoy these books and are always begging me to read…..just one more chapter. 🙂
Little House on the Prairie is the second book in the Laura Ingalls Wilder series. We read Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder first. In this book the little girl, Laura, that we met in the first book traveled with her family out Midwest to the Kansas area. Her Pa found a place out in the wide open space of the prairie where they built their new home, barn, started farming, trapping, and explored the area. In this book Laura met Indians for the first time, saw a papoose, and experienced many new adventures.
Stronger by Mandisa
Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain’t right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you’re asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weatherOh, don’t hang your head
It’s gonna end
God’s right there
Even if it’s hard to see Him
I promise you that He still caresWhen the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain’t gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it’s gonna end
God’s right there
Even when you just can’t feel Him
I promise you that He still caresJesus Born on this Day by Avalon
Today a child is born on earth
Today the glory of God shines
Everywhere for all of the world
Jesus, born on this day he is our light and salvation
Jesus, born on this day he is the King of all nationsBehold the Lamb of God has come
Behold the Savior is born sing of his love to everyone
Jesus, Born on this day heavenly child in the manger
Jesus, born on this day He is our Lord and SaviorToday our hearts rejoice in him
Today the light of his birth thrills us with hope
Brings peace on earth
Jesus, born on this day He is our light and salvation
Jesus, born on this day he is the King of all nations
Today a child is born on earth
Today the glory of God shines everywhere for all of the worldLove It – Village Naturals Foaming Bath
Jake and the girls gave me Village Naturals Therapy Foaming Bath Oil & Body Wash, Aches & Pains Relief with Eucalyptus, Rosehips, and Chamomile earlier this year for Mother’s Day. I love it! 🙂 I never thought I would get so excited over bath items, ha! It wasn’t long before the girls were begging to try it out.
Village Naturals Therapy Foaming Bath Oil & Body Wash gives you a lot of great long lasting bubbles. The girls are always asking to use this whenever they have a “long” bath because they love all the bubbles. One time they stayed in the bathtub for over an hour splashing around.
Our family has had a round or two of sickness since I received it. The Village Naturals Therapy Foaming Bath Oil & Body Wash works really well for when you have a cold and are congested. You can find it in a lot of stores, including Walmart, or online. The best part it is only a few dollars and it lasts a long time. You only need a couple drops to get a bath full of bubbles.
Even though the girls and I have used this many times we are still on our original bottle. If your looking for a great bubble bath or body wash that will be a big hit with the lady (or kids) in your life you should check this out. It is a great way to relax after a busy day!
“Love It” is a series of posts on items that I use regularly in my household that I love! There are some items in our daily lives that make life more enjoyable, efficient, or just plain fun. I will be sharing with you some of the products that have been given to us (or to me) that have made it to the top of my list. It’s my way of giving a huge thumbs up!
Born In Me by Francesca Battistelli
Everything inside me cries for order
Everything inside me wants to hide
Is this shadow an angel or a warrior?
If God is pleased with me, why am I so terrified?
Someone tell me I am only dreaming
Somehow help me see with Heaven’s eyes
And before my head agrees, my heart is on its knees
Holy is He. Blessed am I.Be born in me, be born in me
Trembling heart, somehow I believe that You chose me
I’ll hold you in the beginning, You will hold me in the end
Every moment in the middle, make my heart your Bethlehem
Be born in meAll this time we’ve waited for the promise
All this time You’ve waited for my arms
Did You wrap yourself inside the unexpected
So we might know that Love would go that far?Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
On the back of my office door this SMART sign is hanging. Some days when I look at it am encouraged while others I have to sigh because while I am continuing to make steps in the right direction there are those weeks that it feels like I am moving at a snails pace (or slower). Maybe this is the week I can get caught up on some items! Thankfully Jake is back home from his work travels and everyone seems to be healthy so that’s always good. I am looking forward to the girls getting off school later this week for the Christmas Holidays!
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read to the girls and have them read to me dailyLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework CompletedAttend After School ActivitiesPlan one special Activity with the FamilyFinish Decorating & Putting up Christmas Bins- Work on Christmas List – working on it, a few more items to get done this week
Blessing Lives Everyday with Special Surprises (B.L.E.S.S.): 25 Days of Christmas Blessings– had a blast doing week 2!
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week – need to get back on track with this goal
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayReading / listening through my Bible – doing the 90 day plan through YouVersion– I FINISHED the 90 Day plan I was working through!!!! So excited that I stick to it! I am already looking forward to the next one!
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week- Tackle Fall Cleaning & Organization Projects – with all the Christmas activities going on this had to be put on hold temporarily
Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch- Write and Send Out Community Group Email – opps this one fell through the cracks with the busy schedule this past week, we are done meeting until after the Holidays but meant to send out an email to the group
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4- Payoff the Van – working on it
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.) – slowly building it up
- Stay within Christmas Budget – need to review what Jake & I spent recently, it’s harder when he is traveling
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read to the girls and have them read to me daily
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Help with the girls School Christmas Parties
- Work on Christmas List
- Blessing Lives Everyday with Special Surprises (B.L.E.S.S.): 25 Days of Christmas Blessings (Week 3)
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Pick out my new YouVersion plan!
- Finish reading Significant Work by Paul Rude (super excited about this book!)
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Finish Wrapping & Prepping for the Christmas Events
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Payoff the Van
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.)
- Stay within Christmas Budget
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Game: Bean Boozled by Jelly Belly
Bean Boozled Game Some friends of ours introduced us to this game called Bean Boozled by Jelly Belly a couple years ago and it has been a big hit with our family! We’ve even picked up some boxes to take with us when we traveled to play with extended family and friends.
There was a local store that carried the game, but the last couple of times I was in the store they didn’t have it in stock. When I asked about it both times the person working told me that they didn’t know if they would be re-stocking it. I checked online and Amazon carries it (this would be a great one to add to an existing order so you get free shipping).
I cannot tell you how many laughs we have had over this game. It is quite hilarious! With a group of people you have each person pick out a jelly bean to try. The is no way to tell if you have a “good” flavored jelly bean or a “bad” flavor, but as soon as you bite into it you’ll know! The faces of the people biting into the jelly beans is priceless. We even played this game with Jake’s grandparents the last time with visited Vermont.
Flavors
- Licorice or Skunk Spray
- Top Banana or Pencil Shavings
- Buttered Popcorn or Rotten Egg
- Berry Blue or Toothpaste
- Chocolate Pudding or Canned Dog Food
- Peach or Barf
- Juicy Pear or Booger
- Caramel Corn or Moldy Cheese
- Coconut or Baby Wipes
- Strawberry Jam or Centipede
Even though they may “look” the same they taste VERY different. It is a good idea to have a napkin available for each player in case they need to spit out the jelly beans. If you want to play a trick on your co-workers put these in a bowl on your desk, depending on which one they get they may never snag a candy from your desk again!
For obvious reasons this game can only be played one time! Once all the jelly beans have been eaten the game is over. Our kids love this game and can tell you many great memories of when they played it with various family members and friends.
All the fun flavors, hilarious game! The box reads:
CAUTION These jelly beans may look alike but they could not taste more different from each other. Think you can tell them apart? WE DARE YOU!
Love It – You Version (Free Bible App)
A friend of mine shared this free app with me back in September. While in a conversation with a group of friends we started discussing how much time we actually spend reading and/or listening to Scriptures. We decided as a group to encourage each other to read through the Bible completely.
Each of person has chosen various plans, versions, etc…. Since I didn’t start this until the middle of September I decided to do the whole Bible in 90 days so I can listen to the entire Bible before the end of the 2012 calendar year. Here’s the 90 Day Plan I chose.
At the beginning of the New Year I plan to switch to another plan. I have a few that I am excited about doing but haven’t completely decided which one yet. Even though I have grown up in a godly family and church and probably have read all the Bible verses at various times I honestly cannot say that I have not faithfully followed a “read / listen the whole bible plan” until this one (I know it is really sad and embarrassing to admit).
I have been thinking and praying a lot about my life, parenting, etc…. if my heart isn’t right and I am not gaining wisdom from the best source available how am I suppose to raise children who love God? How can I make an eternal positive impact on the lives around me if I am living life in the flesh or doing what “I” think is best?
So after gathering with a few friends (for accountability) who want to do the same thing we started using this awesome free app. I LOVE that I can listen to Bible with this app. Everyone learns a different way. I have found that if I get up earlier and listen to it while I walk on the treadmill I actually retain more. The girls have come down a few times and heard me listening to it as well and have asked to listen to the last half with me while they eat breakfast for school. It warms my heart to see them eager to hear the Bible.
When I miss a day I have it set to remind me which helps me stay on track. I find the weekends harder to keep up with it since our schedule is always different so I listen to more chapters on Mondays to catch up. Doing the 90 day plan has a lot more reading / listening then some of the other plans but it has been wonderful, insightful, and encouraging listening to it.
There are 100’s of plans to chose from (whole bible plans, topical plans, devotional, and more). I chose to do the whole bible because I have never done it before. You can read it, listen to it on your phone, or on your computer. I typically listen to it on my phone (if I do it on the computer I tend to get too distracted) where I can take my phone downstairs where it is quiet and listen without interruptions or distractions.
I am so EXCITED to say that I have actually stuck with this plan! Tomorrow is my last day – Day 90!!!!! YAY!!!! I am already looking forward to narrowing down the next plan that I want to go through.
While I did listen to the Whole Bible in the past 90 days I still have A LOT to learn! There were days that I didn’t listen very well or got distracted. I am so thrilled to finally find an app that works really well for me that I want to share it with you. Since starting I have shared this app with many family and friends too. Jake is working through one as well.
I hope as we quickly approach Christmas Day and the New Year that you would consider challenging yourself to read or listen to the Bible, whether it is with this app or another. We have so much that we can gleam from the Scriptures that can help encourage us throughout our days as well as point us to the One who truly has all the answers!
Download The Bible App Now
This is Christmas by Kutless
Do you find it hard to sleep til’ night,
Resting by the Christmas lights?
Could there be something you forgot?
Beyond the bows, and mistletoes,
The tree with presents wrapped below,
There’s more to this than you had ever thought?
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year?What is Christmas?
If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger.
What is Christmas without Christ?Remember how the story goes,
God’s gift was wrapped in swaddling clothes,
Beneath the star, one great and holy night.
The shepherds heard the angels sing,
The wise man brought an offering,
Peace on Earth began in Bethlehem
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year?Game: “Wits and Wagers Party” Game by North Star Games
Do you have an upcoming celebration or game night? Are you looking for the perfect party game? You should check out Wits & Wagers Party by North Star Games! You can have from 4 to 20 players and it only takes about 20 minutes to play a round. The rules are simple. Your guests will have a blast and will insist on playing another round.
Wits & Wagers Party has over 200 questions that will test your knowledge of various facts. Every answer is a number such as a year, percent, measurement, and so forth. You get points for having the closest answer without going over as well as for guessing the best answer (which could be any player’s answer). While this game is based on facts you don’t need to know all the answers in order to enjoy, participate, or even win the game!
Here’s 3 more games we recommend (we’ve played them many times):
Our review of this Wits & Wagers Family Game (easy enough for the kids to play too)
Our review of this Say Anything Game
