Back to School Tip - Lunch Boxes

Back to school sales are all here.  I know that for some it is a stressful process.  Little bit and I hit the shopping isles at Walmart yesterday.  She needs a lunch box for the year.  I started out in the back to school section.  We found some cute ones a frog shaped lunch box, one with hearts and flowers.  They were cute but I was not happy with the size they were small or the quality I thought there is not way these would make it through the year.  They were also expensive.  They ranged from 8-12 dollars.  I would not mind that price for something of quality.  So I started to think out of the box.  I headed over to the kitchen supply section and found more of the same little lunch bags.   Then it hit me!!  The cooler section in sporting goods.  There it was a large six can cooler with a separate section on top for dry foods.  This box is perfect for our needs the bottom section has plenty of room for sippy cups and cool food and the other foods will fit great in the top section.  The best news is this lunch box was only $6.  I am so happy I set away from the back to school stuff and got creative to find a better, cheaper lunch box!!!

Book Review: Wedded to War

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Wedded to War • River North; New Edition edition (July 1, 2012)
by Jocelyn Green

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jocelyn Green is a child of God, wife and mom living in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She is also an award-winning journalist, author, editor and blogger. Though she has written nonfiction on a variety of topics, her name is most widely recognized for her ministry to military wives: Faith Deployed. Her passion for the military family was fueled by her own experience as a military wife, and by the dozens of interviews she has conducted with members of the military for her articles and books, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives and its sequel, Faith Deployed...Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives. She is also co-author of both Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan and Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front (forthcoming, May 2012). Her Faith Deployed Web site and Facebook page continue to provide ongoing support, encouragement and resources for military wives worldwide.






ABOUT THE BOOK

When war erupted, she gave up a life of privilege for a life of significance.
Tending to the army's sick and wounded meant leading a life her mother does not understand and giving up a handsome and approved suitor. Yet Charlotte chooses a life of service over privilege, just as her childhood friend had done when he became a military doctor. She soon discovers that she's combatting more than just the rebellion by becoming a nurse. Will the two men who love her simply stand by and watch as she fights her own battles? Or will their desire for her wage war on her desire to serve God?

Wedded to War is a work of fiction, but the story is inspired by the true life of Civil War nurse Georgeanna Woolsey. Woolsey's letters and journals, written over 150 years ago, offer a thorough look of what pioneering nurses endured. This is the first in the series "Heroines Behind the Lines: Civil War," a collection of novels that highlights the crucial contributions made by women during times of war.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Wedded to War, go HERE.

My Thoughts:
I went through phases of liking and disliking this book as I read it.  There was something in the book I just can't put my finger on that I did not enjoy as much.  I think part of it was the side story of Ruby at times was hard for me to swallow.  Even though it was realistic it was well, sad.  But for the most part I liked this story.  I ended it wanting to read the next books in the series so I think that is a very good thing.  I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. It is an interesting read and very lively. 
Disclaimer:  I did receive a free copy of this book for review purposes, all opinions in this review are my own and are not impacted by the company.

Caillou Review

Caillou's Mysteries and Adventures

I don't know about in your family, but we have a little girl who loves Caillou.  When I tell her we are going to the library she tells me that Caillou went to the library.   She asks to watch him often.  We don't watch a ton of TV but I love to have DVDs to put in over TV so I can have more control over what is playing.  This video features 12 adventures.  I love how there are so many of these short adventures so we can watch them one or two at a time and have fresh Caillou for several different TV times.  

Like I said we have a big Caillou fan in this house.  This video did not disappoint her she has loved watching it.  The only problem is we used to watch it just on the TV channels and she would ask and I could tell her it was not on at that time.  Now she knows that we have a DVD and it could be on at any time he he he.  I like all the exploring and new adventures Caillou goes on.  I like that it is exposing little bit to all these new ideas and concepts.  My only complaint with Caillou is his sometimes whiny whines, but I guess that is true to his age, I still wish it was an area he was a better example for the kids.  

Disclaimer:  I did receive a review copy of a Caillou's Mysteries and Adventures for review purposes only, all opinions are my own and were not influenced by the company. 

Book Review- Almost Amish

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  Almost Amish  Bethany House Publishers (July 1, 2012)  by  Kathryn Cushman



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathryn Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy, but all her life she knew that she wanted to write a novel “some day”. For her, “some day” came in 2003, when she started writing and never looked back.



Her first two manuscripts remain firmly ensconced in the back of her closet (the dust bunnies tell her they really are terrific!). Her third attempt became her first published novel.



A Promise to Remember and Leaving Yesterday were both finalists for the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, and Waiting for Daybreak was a finalist in Women’s Fiction for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award.



On the homefront, she has been married to the wonderful and handsome Lee for nearly twenty-five years now, and their two daughters are currently braving the worlds of high school and college.



They’ve lived in Santa Barbara for over twenty years. It’s a beautiful place and Kathryn feel blessed to be there (although a seventy degree Christmas still leaves her dreaming of a white one—or at least a colder one!)



When she's not writing or reading or braving seventy degree holidays, you’ll find her trying her best to keep up with her daughters in their various theater, softball, dance, and filled-with-activity lives.   



ABOUT THE BOOK

Proving the Simple Life Isn't So Simple After All



Overcommitted and overwhelmed, Julie Charlton is at the breaking point. She knows she should feel blessed as a mother and wife--but she just feels exhausted. And then, the miraculous happens. Her sister-in-law Susan, a Martha Stewart-in-training, lands the chance to participate in a reality TV series about trying to live like the Amish and needs another family to join her. It's just the break Julie needs.



But the summer adventure in simple living soon proves anything but simple. With the camera watching every move, Susan's drive for perfection feels a lot like what they left behind, while Julie suddenly finds herself needing to stand up for slowing down. Whether it's cooking, cleaning, or dressing differently, each new Amish challenge raises new complications...and soon each woman learns unexpected lessons about herself and her family.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Almost Amish, go HERE.

My Thoughts:
When I started this book I was really skeptical of the story line.  Following a family who were pretending to be kinda Amish just seemed like there would not be much story there, but I was intrigued and wanted to see how it would unfold.  It turned out to be agood easy read.  It was not the type of book I was so wrapped up in that I could not put it down, but it was a fun read.  I actually really enjoyed reading about the behind the scenes of  reality TV.  I found Julie very easy to relate to.  I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.  It is a good easy read.  


Disclaimer:  I did receive a free copy of this book for review purposes, all opinions in this review are my own and are not impacted by the company.

Book Review- Inescapable

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Inescapable Bethany House Publishers (July 1, 2012) by Nancy Mehl

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman and their dog, Watson. She’s authored thirteen books and is currently at work on her newest series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”

She and her husband attend Believer’s Tabernacle in Wichita.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Lizzie Engel is used to running away. At eighteen, she left her Mennonite hometown, Kingdom, Kansas, with plans never to return.

But five years later, the new life she built is falling apart. Lizzie knows she's being followed, and she's certain the same mysterious stranger is behind the threatening letters she's received. Realizing she'll have to run again, the only escape Lizzie can manage is a return to the last place she wants to go.

Once she arrives in Kingdom, Lizzie is confident she'll be safe until she comes up with a new plan. In reacquainting herself with the town and its people--especially her old friend, Noah Housler--she wonders if she judged her hometown and her Mennonite faith too harshly. However, just as she begins to come to terms with her roots, Lizzie is horrified to discover the danger she ran from is closer than ever.

No longer sure who to trust and fearful for her life and the lives of those around her, Lizzie finds she has only one place left to run--to the Father whose love is inescapable.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Inescapable, go HERE.

My thoughts:
I loved this book.  After I read the description I was not sure if this was going to be a book for me or not.  Sometimes mysteries can be scarier then I enjoy, I get started in them and don't want to keep reading because I am scared of the outcome, but keep reading because the unknown on those is scary too.  This book was not so.  It was not so scary that I could not handle reading it with ease.  I liked how the whole book is written in Lizzie's point of view.  Many books I have read jumps from one character's thoughts to the next I liked being able to see it all from Lizzie's eyes knowing only what she knew and thought.  I must say the book kept me guess on who the3 bad guy was.  I made one guess at the being of the book, but then quickly changed my mind most of the book I was guessing at the answer and in the end realized my first guess was correct.  I really liked how the author made Lizzie such a likeable character.  It was very easy to picture how she was feeling and understand and relate to her fears and joys through out the book.   I give this book 5 out of 5 stars it is a must read!!  I was glad to see it is the first in the Road to Kingdom series meaning there will be more to come!!

Disclaimer:  I did receive a free copy of this book for review purposes only.  All opinions in this post are my own and are not influenced by the company.