Disclosure: Orkin Rollins INC supplied these materials. Opinions shared are mine.

Our family recently took a short trip to Charleston, SC for a few days.  We took the kids to one of our favorite gardens — Magnolia Plantation.  I’ve always loved the Spanish moss hanging from the trees.  It gives such a Gothic look to the place!  As we rode on the nature tram, the guide told us not to touch the Spanish moss because it is covered in tiny bugs.  That was news to me!  We’re now entering the summer season, which reminds me that bugs are going to be everywhere.  Mosquitoes have had more than their 15 minutes of fame recently, with the spread of the Ziko virus.   I have to hose myself down with bug spray to avoid swelling up like a balloon from all the “skeeter” bites. Thanks to the scientific folks at Orkin, we know a lot more about these pesky insects.  Test your knowledge and enter the giveaway!  [Read more…]

During a recent trip to Charleston, SC, my family received complimentary tickets to visit Patriot’s Point.  We’ve been to Charleston several times over the past two decades, but somehow we’ve missed this amazing attraction.   Here’s why you should visit Patriot’s Point on your next Charleston trip!

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Disclosure: I received a gift from World Vision; opinions shared are mine.

When I was in college, several of us in the dorm sponsored a child in Africa. We received letters from him and got to learn about his education, home life, and culture. Later, in a women’s group I joined at church, we adopted another child through World Vision. Her frequent letters reminded us how valuable our donations were. While we only pitched in a few dollars or even quarters during our monthly meetings, that money really amounted to something in the life of that child. World Vision can turn $1 into $1.30 worth of food, clothing, shelter, and supplies for a child. Amazing, right? [Read more…]

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

Men and women in uniform display their sacrifices in their very clothing. By wearing the military, police, firefighter, or other uniform, they’re showing their enduring commitment to serve and protect those in need. Sometimes they do this by putting aside their own family’s needs. My dad, and both stepdads served in the army. My grandfather was in the navy. All of these men braved their fears to serve our country. One of my favorite movies involving a uniformed officer was Fireproof.
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Disclosure: 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 received a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. This post contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission.

Our family is looking forward to summer vacation!  It will be here in 10 short days (can you believe that?!) The biggest thing that I want to accomplish this summer is getting my family together for devotions each night.  Right now, we listen to audiobooks on the way to school, but I’m afraid that we’ll get out of that habit once we’re not making the daily commute this summer.  I was really excited when the ESV Family Devotional Bible came in the mail. It’s just what I need to get started on our family devotions!

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Disclosure: 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 received a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

None Like Him by Jen Wilkin is a devotional that could really be used as the basis for a sermon series.  Each of 10 holy attributes are explored in depth, bolstered by scripture and personal stories.  It was an enlightening read, and each topic was fully described in a way that helped me understand a little more about God’s majesty.  The reflection questions at the end of each chapter provided extra nuggets of thought.  Although the book is short enough to read in an afternoon, I recommend savoring it over a few days.  It’s worth mulling over the points made. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this books to review. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine. 
Mother’s Day is a sweet opportunity to slow down and enjoy the day.  We’ve had some rain here, so I plan to snuggle up with some good books and relax.  Here’s what to read this weekend, if you’re in the same boat!

It’s hard to push past the 20+ years it’s been since I was 17 years old, but I’ll try for the sake of Remember to Forget. Originally featured on Wattpad, this book still holds the charm of a novel that wasn’t polished up for the sake of mainstream fiction.  So often in teen (or YA) fiction, the characters seem to have an overly mature worldview. That wasn’t the case in Remember to Forget. I felt that the story was authentic to the way that many teens react and behave. [Read more…]

Disclosure: Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this book and prize for the giveaway.

Back in the olden days, I measured a book’s worth by the attention I wanted to devote to it.  If I wanted to read it twice, it was held in higher esteem, for example. These days, books have a difficult standard to meet. First, they have to make me think, “My students would love this!”  Yet more daunting, they have to make me think, “I bet I could get my daughter to read this.”   A reluctant bibliophile, she’s slightly hard to please when it comes to a good book.  It seems to have something to do with her mom, who happens to be an English teacher, making the suggestion.   So when I held The League and the Lantern for the very first time, it had to jump through a few high hurdles. [Read more…]

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

My family has a tradition – they always get me hanging plants for Mother’s Day.  I love getting my annual baskets; they hang happily from my front porch.  Unfortunately, those flowers don’t prepare lunch for my family. We’ll still arrive home from church on Mother’s Day, with everyone expecting to be fed.  Does your family have special plans for Mother’s Day?  If lunch is in order, why not set out Rustic Crust and let everyone prepare their own meal? If you’re shipping your Mother’s Day gift, no worries. All online orders receive free shipping. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this book to review; opinions shared are mine. Post contains affiliate links.

Sisterhood is something I never enjoyed until I was an adult. My dearest friends became my sisters, starting with my college roommate and extending to my sister-in-law.  I’ve been so fortunate to create relationships with some amazing women, those I’d trust with my own life and that of my children.  In the book Sister Dear by Laura McNeill, the main character Allie is thrown into prison for manslaughter. Not part of her 10 year plan, that’s for sure! She depends on her only lifeline – her sister – to keep her in touch with life.   This book has all the makings of a Lifetime movie!

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