Disclosure:  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. The winner will be randomly selected; opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I received a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.   

Some say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Others might try this endeavor with a new set of golf clubs, or perhaps a shiny new leather recliner.  My husband is easy to please. Just give him a great documentary, and he’s a happy camper!  When I gave him the Patterns of Evidence Exodus DVD that arrived in the mail, he was thrilled.  I woke up from my afternoon nap to find the movie playing.  It was such an interesting story that the whole family eventually assembled in the living room.  Thanks to FlyBy Promotions, one lucky reader will win a copy of the DVD!  [Read more…]

If you have a Twitter account, you could be earning free gift cards!  When you click on my referral link here, it takes you to a site called Advowire. It’s free to join, and easy to link up your social networks.  First, click the “Sign In” button and at the bottom left, it will ask you if you’re new to Advowire. Click it!

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Disclosure: I received these books to review. Opinions shared are mine.

With school starting back this month, it might be harder than normal to convince your kids to read with you.  They’re already getting a good dose of reading in the classroom, so coming home to read is rather redundant for some youngsters.  Wondering what to read with your kids? At my house, the trick is to find a new book that captures my kids’ attention.  I tested out this theory a few days ago with the new Noah’s Voyage book, and it worked like a charm!  My son and niece cuddled up on the couch with me while we revisited the flood story.  [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this book to review; opinions shared are mine.

Sometimes I feel sorry for my kids because they’re stuck with teachers as parents. Christmas always includes educational toys, and vacations are usually sprinkled with some kind of historical learning experience.  There’s no getting out of homework when you’re a teacher’s kid.  Likewise, the daughter of magically enhanced people probably feels a similar burden. In the novel Family Magic, poor little Sydlynn struggles along with the turmoil of being a teenage daughter of a witch and demon.  Yeah…that’s the same thing as having teachers for parents.  Seriously, though, the entertaining book pokes light fun at the idea that teenagers often want what they cannot have, no matter the parental circumstances!  Don’t we all, though?  [Read more…]

I was browsing the Tyndale Rewards site today, and noticed that they have lots of new items that you can get FREE with points.  They’re easy freebies to grab since the points needed are so low.  Start out with 25 points when you use my link to sign up!  Then you can cash out for these goodies at only 10 and 15 points.  Nice!!   Even better, you can share the deal with your friends so that they can get these freebies, too.  Stash these away for stocking stuffers, Easter basket items, small gift ideas, or give to your church’s nursery leader!

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Disclosure: This post and giveaway form contain affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, it will give me a small commission at no extra cost to you. The earnings go toward self-sponsored giveaways like this one.

Cloth diapering may save money in the long run, but it can sure be expensive on the front end!  The big appeal for me would be the fact that these diapers are ADORABLE.  Seriously, look at the strawberry above.  How. Cute. Is. That!?!   The little Elmo waistband decor on my kid’s disposable can’t even compare.  Did you know that your Amazon Prime account can save you a bundle on shipping, while offering low prices at the same time? If you don’t have an Amazon Prime account, you can get your 30-Day free trial by clicking here. Then get started on your savings! This Alva Baby 6pcs pack comes with 6 washable, adjustable pocket cloth diapers with 2 inserts each. The weight limit is 6-33 pounds, so they’ll grow with your child.  Just be warned, every time you buy a new one, you’ll think, “that’s the cutest cloth diaper EVER.”  Take that, disposables!   [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received these books to review. Post may contain affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

With school starting on Monday (yes, it’s true! August 3!), I feel the pressure of the finite summer break. This week I read no less than 8 books, trying to satiate my yearning for fiction. There’s also a new book on my radar that I’ve got high hopes for!  If you’re wondering what to read this weekend, consider one of these titles.

Although An Ember in the Ashes released in April 2015, this new world hasn’t made it onto my bookshelf yet.  It sounds like something my students will love, so I’m promising myself a little time to enjoy it once school is underway.  With comparisons to Hunger Games, Game of Thrones, and an author who is likened to Harry Potter’s J. K. Rowling, An Ember in the Ashes has a lot buzz surrounding it right now. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this book to review. Opinions shared are mine. Post and giveaway form may contain affiliate links; if you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.

As children walk into the front doors of various school buildings, we all smile with the traditional scene. We imagine backpacks full of freshly sharpened pencils, hair pulled into taut ponytails with bows, and shiny faces bright with the anticipation of new friendships. How many times does a confident faith play into that picture of the First Day of School? Outside of academics, kids learn about lots of other life experiences in schools. Not all of these are positive! My children have come home asking about words, lifestyles, and activities that rattle my heart. When faced with the challenges of the world, can I be certain that my children are confident in their faith? I’m learning about this through the Apologetics Study Bible for Students.
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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if clicked on and a purchase is made. I received this book to review; opinions shared are mine.

Although the back-to-school experience might seem to be a routine, the first year of heading to college is nothing like the primary school years. For me, heading to college was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Being surrounded by roommates, friends, and professors didn’t exclude me from feeling alone sometimes. It was easy to fall into the traps of stress and even depression when weighed down by responsibility. When the book Things Not Seen arrived in my mailbox, it reminded me of those college days when everything I thought I knew went right out the window.

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