Disclosure: I received this book as part of the book tour. Opinions shared are mine.

Oh, sigh.  The final books in The Charmed Amish Life series are finished.  Aren’t those covers lovely?

Don’t settle for that, though.  You MUST read this series.  I enjoyed every one of the Charm books, including A Sister’s Wish, but An Amish Family Christmas was my absolute favorite.  I still have so much of the love in my heart from reading that last page.  If you’ve ever wondered what book reviewing looks like, here it is.  [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this book to enjoy; post contains affiliate links. Opinions shared are mine.

My children love to read fact-based books. Trivia of all types are popular here, especially with my 12 year old daughter. She starts many sentences with, “Did you know…?” My son, however, is fascinated with bodily functions. That’s typical with 2nd graders, so I’m hoping it’s just a phase he’ll outgrow. For now, I’m grateful that we can fulfill his potty talk desires with an entertaining, yet educational, book like To Burp or Not to Burp: A Guide to Your Body in Space by astronaut Dr. Dave Williams.

[Read more…]

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase through these links, it costs you nothing extra AND I may earn a small commission. I use it pay for self-sponsored giveaways like this one. So, thank you!

Romance is lovely in books, but I need something more. By that, I don’t mean steamy scenes or graphic content. Instead, I like books that have a really interesting story with a romantic strand in that tale. You don’t have to spend a bundle on these, and in many cases it doesn’t even cost a penny. Check it out on Amazon.com – Read eBooks using the FREE Kindle Reading App on Most Devices.  I was surprised how many of my friends and family weren’t using it yet!  Here are a few of my favorites, many of which are currently free on Amazon.  Of course, that can change with the wind, so check before clicking submit. You can also get many free titles by joining Tyndale Rewards. Use my referral link to start with 25 points. Then complete a few surveys, or share your link on social media, to earn more points. Last month I redeemed for 5 free books!
[Read more…]

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Opinions shared are mine.

Our family has been blessed to travel to Disney World several times.  Snacks at Disney World are part of the fun. Alas, when we are Disney I rarely think about taking pictures of the food. I’m so busy eating it!   Thankfully, I found a way to avoid packing our snacks for Disney World.   [Read more…]

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.

Teaching children to read starts at a very early age.  If you’re introducing a child to the joy of books, consider the Say & Pray Devotions (released on October 11, 2016).  It makes a great gift for children, and could be a lovely addition to the church nursery. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received product samples; opinions shared are mine.

Savings in Seconds was pleased to feature In The Raw for our HalloHop event. It’s time to eat a caramel apple and wrap your hands around a steaming cup of cocoa. Fall is here!  [Read more…]

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Opinions shared are mine.

I’ll be haunting the DollarTree doorway several times over the next few weeks. You see, it’s nearly time to attend packing parties for Operation Christmas Child! National collection week starts on November 14. The school where I teach hosts a packing party, and we’ll be packing boxes to send through our church. If you’re not familiar with that organization, I encourage you to find a drop-off location and join in on the fun. It’s a great project for scouts, Sunday School classes, and neighborhood organizations. The DollarTree has everything we need to pack several boxes for various age groups and genders. I can even have my items shipped directly to my door for just $4.95!

There are 5 families in the small group we attend, and I think we’ll likely put together a few boxes for Operation Christmas Child. It would be a great activity for us to do together!  If you’d like to host a party like this at your house, invite several families and ask them to bring small items to include in the shoeboxes.  The items can be shared among the party, so there’s  no need to specify who brings what.  Just put it all together potluck-style and make as many boxes as you can!  As the hostess, I’ll provide several items that can be included in boxes.  Here are some things I found at DollarTree that will be perfect to add to the boxes.

[Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this book as part of the tour. Opinions shared are mine.

Calling someone by name is a deeply personal matter.  Beyond nicknames, it’s sometimes a challenge to call someone by their first name.  Although my first boss always introduced herself by her first name, I could never bring myself to call her that.  When I see former students, the question always comes up — “Do you remember my name?”  (The answer is always YES, of course.)   One of the great things about God is that he wants us to call Him by name.  He even gives us several from which to choose.  If you’re not comfortable with that yet, check out this short but meaningful book, Experiencing God Through His Names.

[Read more…]

Disclosure: Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

I’m lucky to work with lifelong learners.  My friends at work love to read, and we are always sharing books.  While some of the girls prefer audiobooks, I’m still fond of the paper versions.   If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you’re probably aware of my love for subscription boxes.  That’s why I’ve decided to gift myself the Book of the Month membership!  Through Oct. 31, use code BOTM5 on your new subscription to get the first month for just $5.  Or if you prefer, you could use code 30TOTE for 30% off 3 months plus get a free book tote.  I chose the 3 month discount, which was a bigger savings overall for a 3 month plan.

[Read more…]

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.

The words I never thought I’d say have been uttered from my lips.

“I’ll give you something to cry about.”  “You’re older, you should know better.”  “I don’t care who started it; I’m ENDING it.”   I hated hearing my mom say these things, yet they’ve become part of my vocabulary.  In the spirit of trying to be a good parent and raising good children, some roadblocks are bound to turn up. Take heart, parents. The saying, “The days are long but the years are short” ring true.  If parenthood has you stumped on occasion, why not give the book Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles a try?  [Read more…]