Show us your life Fridays - What are you Reading!

Over at Kelly's Korner, Kelly is hosting her weekly "Show us your Life" Friday post!  I haven't been doing these for various reasons ( or I just forget) but the topic of today is about what you are reading!  I love to read so of course I want to share.  I'm actually not reading as many books at once as I usually do - I often have up to 5 books going at a time (different books for different times of the day!!) but have wrapped a few up recently.  I'll share those and what I'm picking up next to read too.

So, first, I've shared a lot about this book lately including Wednesday Devotionals (catch up here!) - The Power of  a Positive Mom is a really great book that is built a few basic principles of how to be "that positive mom".  I've already taken away some core ideas from just the first few chapters.  It isn't about being "Super mom" but just helping you be the best you can be. This is the book I am currently using for my Bible Study.  It has a section at the end of each chapter with some verses to read as well as a challenge that coincides with that lesson.

For "fun" I just finished reading Falconer's Quest by T Davis Bunn.  It is book 5, the final book in the series "Heirs of Acadia".  It is a really well written series that focus' first on the life of the Langston family before introducing John Falconer.  Their lives intertwine throughout the series even as new characters are introduced.  Falconer's journey from becoming a believer through his trials and griefs to learning of real forgiveness and acceptance is told in an exciting tale.  I enjoy the way T Davis Bunn writes and was not disappointed.  This is a series I've read several times and always enjoy it.

In trying to accomplish some reading goals this year, I also have books I'm reading each month.  Right now I'm in the middle of "Falling Forward" by Sandi Patty.  If you were to ask me why I picked this pick it would be for one reason - I'm a huge Sandi Patty fan and always have been even through her tough years.  This book addresses those struggles she had but in a way that shows others how to be warned and be wary of things in their own lives.  I'm impressed with her honesty and openness about her life as well as her teaching.  I tend to read this book right before bed when there aren't as many distractions around so I can really think about what she is teaching in her writing.

Since I just finished my "fun" series I decided to pick from my book goal stack and read "Duggars: 20 and counting".  I'm intrigued by this family and just want to learn more about them.  I enjoy their show and am always impressed by the fact that they don't hide the spiritual things from the camera - they pray, talk about God, and talk about their daily faith.  I also want to learn her secrets on how she is raising such great kids :-)  So, this will be what I read at lunch time now and when I just feel like kicking back for a little bit during the little boys nap time.

Finally, my "no brainer" book right now is another Davis Bunn book called "All through the Night".  I've read this one before as well and remember it being a very good read - it is another story based upon forgiveness. 

I'm looking forward to seeing what others post for this today - I'm always looking for new books to add to my "want to read" list!

Creative Memories Giveaway - It's almost over!

Just wanted to remind you that the giveaway for:

ends Friday night at midnight!!!!!


Click HERE to enter!!

Tator Tot Casserole

This is one of those super simple, kid friendly recipes.  A good friend of mine told me about it because it is his favorite recipe so I decided to try it.  Little did I know that this was one of those recipes that Darryl also loved.  I'll be honest, it isn't my favorite meal but both the boys love it also so how can I not make it? 

Ingredients:
2 pounds ground beef
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 slices of cheese (the kind that comes in the little wrappers for sandwiches . . .. )
1 bag of frozen Tatar tots

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Cook the ground beef and drain.  Mix in the cream of chicken soup.  Spread in the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 pan.  Lay the slices of cheese on top of the meat.  Cover with the bag of Tatar Tots.  Cook for about 25-30 minutes or until the Tatar Tots are browned and cooked through.  (I've found that sometimes I need to cook this longer; the Tatar tots seem to need a little longer to really brown.)

I often cut this recipe in half and make it in an 8x8 pan instead.  I find that it is more than enough to feed the four of us along with a vegetable and sometimes a salad.

Today I'm linking up over at:


and

Scentsy!!!

I always say that I'm the most unlucky person ever but . . .well .. recently I won the giveaway hosted by Jen over at Craftomaniac.  What did I win??? A $25.00 gift certificate for Scensty Products from
Jennifer Moffat.  I've heard about this product for several years but, as of yet, haven't been to a party or even tried anything out.  One of the bonus' of this product is that there is no flame - it is a flameless candle.  People that have talked about Scentsy always talk about the smell and how fantastic they all smell.  Well I picked up the following flavors:

I've already used "Sharp Dressed Man" and it smells exactly like that - I have it in my bathroom and it is perfect.  It reminds me of . . .my husband!  It isn't too woodsy or anything like that but smells clean.  In my kitchen I have Hazelnut Latte - and it is incredible.  I love that smell!  I haven't tried Coconut Lemongrass as of yet but I'm sure it is going to be just as good!!

I picked up to different Scentsy units.  First, I picked up the full size unit which I have in the bathroom. 

I only had the online catalog to look at and I was very happy when I opened the box and found this item to be even prettier than it looked online.  They are easy to "assemble" and easy to use.  It is probably bigger than what I need for the bathroom but it was part of a really good deal :-) 

I also picked up a "plug-in" warmer as well.

This little cute thing is plugged into an outlet in my kitchen.  It is THE perfect item for the kitchen without a doubt.  I love that I can switch out the flavor so easily and it lasts as long, if not longer, than those little packets you slide into the store bought plug-ins.  The only thing I would say is that you want to place this somewhere where little fingers (or big knees) won't hit it since it has the melted wax on top. 

I'm extremely happy with this product though and I will be putting a small amount in the budget to be able to pick up some more melts to use. 

If you like what you see, make sure and check out Jennifer's website!  She was wonderful to work with and I got my product less than one week after I placed my order so all around customer service is awesome!

Our Favorite Toys - a biased Review

I normally post about our Mommy School time on Thursdays but . . we haven't done a whole lot lately.  My printer is dying so I can't anything that needs to be "nice" and we've played outside some instead.  So, instead, I thought I would share a few of our favorite toys. 

1) Leapfrog Learn and Groove Musical Table - this was a toy that Josh received his first Christmas and it STILL gets use daily by both boys. The legs come off so even the tummy babies can enjoy it on the floor.  Once they are able to stand, it is great for the little ones to stand next to and play.  Each side has different sound effects making it very entertaining for all ages.  This toy is going on 2 full years of playtime with more in the future; it is a toy I would recommend anyone getting!  The little munchkin I babysit also LOVES this so I know it is a pretty universal toy :-)

2. Playskool Busy Basics Step Start Walk 'n Ride - This is a toy that we received as a shower gift and it has been another huge hit.  Josh didn't crawl until almost 10 months but, he would sit on this little car and ride it all over the place.  I had put it away once he was walking alot but took it back out for Nate.  Amazingly, Josh got right back on it and it is still one of his favorite toys.  Both boys love it and I can see it being a toy that is used for quite awhile longer.  I will say that we never used it as a "walker" - it seemed a little unstable and Josh kept tripping on it.  As a car, it is fantastic!



3) VTech Musical Bubbles Octopus - If you are looking for a bath toy - this is it!  It suctions to the bathroom wall and takes ordinary bubbles.  Turn the thing on and the bathtub fills with bubbles while the music plays.  Both of the boys love this thing!  One word of advice - make sure you put good batteries in it or the motor doesn't move enough to make bubbles.  (We thought it wasn't working well and THAN put new batteries in it - the bubbles came out in the zillions :-) )

4. B. Parum Pum Pum Drum - Yes, we love music.  This drum is fantastic and it comes with such adorable noise makers.  I love that the drum has a neck strap so the kids can carry it and play it at the same time.  There are enough instruments that the whole family can play together.

5. B. Meawsic Keyboard - Again, music is big in our home and this keyboard is just fun.  We got it for Josh to replace one I had picked up at a garage sale that had quit working.  This was the closest thing I could find and both boys absolutely love playing with it.  The little microphone is fun too :-)

6. The Sesame Street Letter Bus - This is a weird one to put on here because, really, this toy drove me nuts at first!!  BUT the reason I'm listing this here is because it will help teach your kids their letters and, well, it really is fun!

Do your kids have favorite toys?  I'm sure they do!  I could also list things like Thomas the Train, Matchbox cars, and car in general but . . .those are just normal :-)  . . .well, at least in this house full of boys!

Please note - these are my personal preferences; that's it.  No one is paying me to do this!! :-)



Weekly Devotional - The Power of a Postive Mom

This is the second week in this book study that I'm following over at The Homeschool Village.

This week, the chapters dealt with the first principle - The Power of Encouragement.

The Positive Power of a good word was discussed first. An important point brought out is how much words of encouragement impact our children.  Not just the normal "you did a good job" - but specific words.  For example, if you child plays football, encourage them by saying "I really liked the way you played defense.  You were able to make so many great plays and help your team win."  See the difference?  It isn't the generic words but something that shows you actually paid attention.  Make sure you are prepared (yes, plan ahead) with some good accolades to give your children - write some down to help you get used to handing out these great thoughts.  Once you see how the children respond to these words, you'll want to hand them out even more.

Secondly, help your children discover their potential.  We all want our children to succeed, plain and simple.  So what can we do in order to help them?  We need to study our children; learn their personalities, their likes/dislikes and their strengths and weaknesses.  How can you do this?  A few "easy" steps - 1) See their potential -watch your children and not the qualities, aptitudes, and interests that you see God developing in your children; pray over those items; talk to your children about those things too.  Just be careful that your kids don't feel trapped by your wishes/desires but are really seeking what God has for them.   2) Offer Opportunities for Growth - let them try their hand at a variety of items but be careful not to get overloaded on classes and sports commitments.  Instead, let them try things at home first and see where their strengths are than go from there. 3) Set Realistic Goals - Depending on the age of your children, sit down with them and help them set some goals to reach - make sure those goals are measurable. 4) Support their endeavors - make sure you are there not only when they win but also when they lose; comfort them and reassure them that you still love them whether they do something perfectly or really mess up.

Third, is Bringing Sonshine to Others. A mothers smile means a million different things and always brings encouragement and support.  I see it already in my kids - my oldest, who is 2, will be playing quietly on the couch but, I can catch his eye and give him a smile and he just grins from ear to ear because he knows I see him; I recognize that he is having fun.  Don't wait for the "feeling" - give out smiles freely.  A smile can change the whole mood - both for yourself and for those around you. 

I'm really enjoying this study so far - it has some great reminders as well and some new concepts.  One thing that keeps coming up for me in ever chapter is that you have to do things on purpose - they aren't going to "just happen".  From that encouraging word to that smile - isn't it easier to NOT do those things than to do them?  I've looked for ways just this week to specifically praise my boys in every day things and, I LOVE their smiles so the more I can smile at them, the better :-)

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm Loving  . . . .that I finished scrapbooking 2008 this past weekend.  I love that it is done to completion and we can now enjoy the pictures!

I'm Loving . . . how I re-arranged my living room slightly.  Made a better toy corner, kept the couch so the boys can still look out the window and made an grown-up corner too :-)

I'm Loving . . .the recent beautiful weather!  The 80 degree day on Sunday was a nice peak at summer (but I'm kinda glad spring is back for a little while longer!)

I'm Loving . . . that I have more flowers popping up.  I also have more bulbs to plant and some raspberry bushes to go in but . . .I live in Michigan and must be patient LOL

I'm loving  . . .  that my husband pulled out the ugliest bushes in the world this past weekend.

I'm loving  . . .that we got in our first trip to the Lake on Sunday - I love Lake Michigan :-)

What are YOU loving this week? 

PS - Don't forget to check out the giveaway located on my giveaway tab on the top of the blog - it ends soon!