Disclosure: I am an NCircle Entertainment blogger and receive DVDs for review. Opinions shared are mine. Hosts & participating hop bloggers of the Summer Fun Event are not responsible for sponsors or self-sponsoring bloggers that do not fulfill prize obligations.

Summer is my favorite season because I get to enjoy 10 weeks off with my kids!  After the first week, though, our togetherness starts to make me a little weary.  It’s challenging to find activities that are engaging for the kids yet won’t break the bank.  Here are some ways we find summer fun for free!  [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this book from Litfuse group. Opinions shared are mine.

Family dynamics are a tricky matter.  Everyone has “that person” in their family…unless they are “that person.”   It was something I didn’t realize until adulthood.   As a child, I was used to covering family secrets and hiding what was going on at home.  It was normal to give vague answers when someone asked about my dad or brother.  Even now, I don’t like to visit my home state of Kentucky because of the bad memories it brings.  In the book A Letter from Lancaster County, author Kate Lloyd touches on the tender relationships that sometimes haven’t healed, even after years and years.

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We recently took our camper on our first camping trip!  We went to Davy Crockett Birthplace campground in Limestone, TN.  On the last night of our trip, we decided to go out for dinner.  It was a welcome respite from outdoor cooking!  We tried to get in to the Butcher’s Block, but it had an hour wait list.  After consulting TripAdvisor again, we headed for The Gathering Place Cafe.  I called ahead to see how busy they were, explaining that we could arrive by 7:30 (they close at 8 pm).  I  was told that outdoor seating would soon be available and my name was added to the list.   [Read more…]

I hate to admit it, but my summer break is coming to a close very soon.  It’s time to start thinking about my fall work wardrobe.  Typically, it’s a better value to shop for items that can work with my current clothes options.  This year, I’ll be buying a few dresses since they are so easy to wear on busy mornings.  Disclosure: This post contains my affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you.) Opinions shared are mine.  [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this book from the Tommy Mommy program. Opinions shared are mine.
When I was pregnant, a friend of mine told me that pregnancy was the easiest part of motherhood. The hard part, she said, was raising a family. At that time, I couldn’t see past my fear of the pain of childbirth. Two kids, 13 years, and 60 pounds later, I completely understand what she meant!  Motherhood means that you google weird things like, “Does broccoli make your pee smell funny?” and “What does ringworm look like?”  Motherhood means that you stay up all night listening to your child breathe, wondering if it sounds tight or wet.  Motherhood means that your heart breaks every time someone else looks at your child with disdain or pity.  Why didn’t anyone tell me those things when I was pregnant?  I think that’s what my friend meant when she said the hard part was coming later.  [Read more…]

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

Today we get to share another new Amish of Hart County novel from Shelley Shepard Gray. His Guilt is a companion novel to Her Secret.  Though it’s part of a series, it is a completely different story.  You can definitely read it as a standalone.  [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received these books from Tommy Mommy. Opinions shared are mine.

One of the deepest desires of my heart = my children will know God loves them with an unconditional, eternal kind of love.   It’s a lesson I’m still learning myself, and I long to help my children understand it.  Even from a young age, children test the boundaries of love.  Have you seen it?  Perhaps you’ve experienced that, or maybe you’ve been the one to toe the line.   [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this book as a Tommy Mommy blogger. Opinions shared are mine.

A year ago in June, my grandfather succumbed to a long illness. He was always a strong, healthy man who earned the respect of so many.  I loved that he used to make me pancakes on his griddle, and how he watched Westerns until he fell asleep.   Thanks to his influence, I was able to learn what it meant to be in a for-life marriage with a Christian man.  I miss him tremendously! Grandpa Hugs is a sweet reminder of the way that grandfathers love the children in their lives. [Read more…]

We’ve joined the camping world, and it’s fabulous!  In June, we bought a travel trailer with the intention of visiting some of the beautiful mountains and valleys we have near our home.  Since some of the campgrounds don’t have Wi-Fi, we knew the kids would need help finding other activities to keep them occupied.  Both of my kids love dot-to-dot books, so when I was invited to review this Guardians of the Galaxy book, I jumped at the chance. Opinions shared are mine!  [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received a STEAM code to review this game. Opinions shared are mine.

My kids are big gamers.  Our family is fairly conservative, and I don’t usually allow the kids to play games that are rated Teen or above. The problem is that so many games have strong language, violence, mature content, and so on.   Therefore, it’s a constant challenge to find games that appeal to the kids but don’t seem babyish.  When I was invited to check out Hover : Revolt of Gamers, it seemed like it was the perfect game for my family! [Read more…]