Book Review: One Hand, Two Hands

Sometimes young children’s books are too simplistic for adult enjoyment. But not One Hand, Two Hands by Max Lucado. This wonderfully illustrated book has simple words with a strong message. Hands can be used to be kind to others, help others, and to love others. Various ideas of those three themes are presented in the book. The book ends with a prayer, “One hand, two hands, five fingers, ten….God thanks for my hands. Please, use them again.”

I enjoyed the clever objective of this book. Using concrete examples to illustrate what we can do to make a difference in this world will appeal to children and adults alike. The illustrations by Gaby Hansen are superb, of highest quality. I highly recommend this sweet book.
This book was given to me for review by Tommy Nelson Publishers. The opinions are my own. I was not paid for this review.

Crab Cuties

This little craft turned out pretty cute, if you ask me.  It was done over two days due to paint drying.

First I took bowls and had the kids paint them red.

After drying, they became hats.  I love creative kids.

I cut out two claws and 8 feet for each crab. Hint: put two pieces of paper together or fold one. Then you only have to cut out half as many with twice the results.

Next came the gluing. 

I found that tacky glue works better than school glue for this particular project.  Tacky glue seems to hold better on weird surfaces like the rim of a bowl.  But you could use either.  I'm not the glue police.

Then add a couple of googly eyes and a smile to finish it off.

See...a crab cutie!

Or in Treyton's case, an alien crab.  (He had to have three eyes.)

Oh, and no...Treyton is not naked. He's just showing off his pectoral muscles.

Siblings and Offsprings

Our annual 4th of July trip was great this past year.  Here are my two siblings and all of our kids.  How blessed we are!

Parents are a Blessing

This picture almost didn't happen.

In March, my dad suffered from a cardiac arrest.

Only 20% of people who have one survive.

My dad has gotten a second chance at life.

I'm so proud of him.  He's lost 20 pounds (so far) and changed his eating habits.  Well, the eating habits is the result of this woman.

My mom.  She is the wind beneath my wings.  And I'm not just saying that. She is wonderful. She is love defined.  Truly, everything I am I owe to her and my father's love, strength, and support in my life. 

I am so grateful for such amazing parents.  And after the near loss of my dad, I am only more and more thankful for them every day.  I love you, Madre and Father!  Yesterday, today, and always.

Envelope Manger

This summer I was involved in a Bible study.  The kids' program was great.  One day they came home with these cute manger scenes made from envelopes.

They cut a triangle out of the top, removed it, and then lifted the top of the envelope up.  That's where they put a star.  On the bottom they glued straw (yarn) and Baby Jesus.  Galina pulled off all her yarn in the car ride home and Treyton glued his Baby Jesus to the back of his envelope, but who cares.  It's cute either way, dontcha think?

How Does He Do It?

Imagine a big box of unsorted Legos.  What could you do?  Here's what a certain someone in my family did...

He made a rescue fire truck.  I especially like the 3 levers for the hose, water, and ladder extender (according to Treyton).

I mean really, he should enter some sort of contest.

He could win a load of money or something.

Maybe get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

But even if he doesn't, he will still be the hero in our home.

Crazy man that I love.

Book Review - The Seeker

The Seeker by Ann H. Gabhart is a book centered around the Shaker community at the brink of the Civil War. Charlotte is a young woman who had her life planned out perfectly. One thing after another happened which muddled her perfectly constructed life. She ended up joining a Shaker community and learned to let go. Although she realizes the Shakers have God misconstrued, she discovers authentic faith and learns to lean on Him for her life.

This book was really, really long. And I’m not talking about the number of pages. The story took forever to get going and keep going. It was also extremely predictable. The facts about the Shaker community were interesting, however. And Gabhart did a pretty good job with the distressing issues relating to the Civil War. However, I don’t think I’d recommend this book because the story surrounding it was so sluggish.

This book was given to me to be reviewed by the Baker Publishing Group. I was not paid to review this book.

Oh Dear!

She got stuck!

Mommy, now what?!?!

Little Birdies

If you're looking for a really easy craft, here it is.  I took a paper grocery bag and cut out nest shapes.

Kids glued them onto a background sheet.

I was planning on letting them glue on some shredded wheat to create "texture" and a more realistic looking nest.  But honestly, I just didn't have it in me.  Oh well.  Better luck next time, kids.

As they were gluing cotton balls onto the tops of the nests to form the birds, I worked on the beaks.  To make the birds' beaks I just folded a piece of orange paper.

And cut out a triangle shape.

Glue them onto the cotton ball birds, add eyes with a Sharpie, and there you have it.  Three birdies in a nest.  Without shredded wheat.  Texture is overrated.

I started singing, "Rub-a-dub-dub three birds in a tub."  Don't start.  I guaranteed you will be singing it for at least an hour.  :)

Birthday Party

We had a few kids over from Treyton's preschool class to celebrate Treyton and Galina's birthday.

We tried out the slip and slide for the first time.  It was a hit, of course.  How can you go wrong with a slip and slide?

Back when I was a kid (did I really just say that?),we used a sprinkler and as much plastic as we could scrounge up.  Kids these days have it easy.  We had to work for our fun.

They enjoyed Bryce's freshly redone swingset too.

We got 'em all squirt bottles.  That one, Eli, didn't put it down. He especially enjoyed tormenting the girls.

Addison, Treyton's girl, didn't miss the party.  How cute are they?  I can't stand it!  Put a veil on her and a tux on him right now.  She's the sweetest thing.  Good choice, my boy.

As the party progressed, weird things began happening.  Like a wheelbarrow on the slip and slide.

And turning squirt bottles on oneself.

And mommies snatching up babies that were not their own.  This is my friend Andrea.  She's such a thoughtful and loving woman.

But all that stopped when cake time came.

It's dangerous having me be in charge of the cake.  My favorite treat in the entire world is bakery style cake.  I want more kids just so I can buy more cakes for birthdays.  Yum!

Such serious candle blowing.

I loved having an outside table filled with kids.  If it were inside, it might have been a different story, however. Thank goodness for a nice sunny day.

Notice Galina is absent from this photo. Poor thing. She ended up getting sick! What a way to end your birthday party, huh?

I just can't believe my babies are 3 and 5 already. Where does the time go?

Book Review - Searching for God Knows What

Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller is a book intending to shake the traditional Christian’s belief about the way things are in many churches today. Miller is not apprehensive to knock organized religion. Being a Christian is all about relationship, about falling in love, about the person of God. The language, duties, ceremonies, etc that go with church are secondary. That idea is not new to me, but several insights in the book were.
This book was somewhat political. And political in a liberal-leaning way which bothered me somewhat. Miller dissed Fox News and talked highly of Clinton and Carter, for example. Those things made me mad, to be honest. However, his engaging conversational tone, relevant stories, unique observations, and keen analogies kept me compelled.

To be entertained, to learn, to make you think are all reasons to pick up this book. Just beware of the liberal lean which Miller warns is not a reason to negate things either.

This book was given to me to be reviewed by Tommy Nelson Publishing.  The above thoughts and ideas are mine and were not for profit.

Flower Cupcakes

I'm finally getting back to this blog.  It was a busy month and honestly, this blog took the bottom spot on my things-to-do list.  That would be true if I actually made a list.  So it goes.

I wanted to share a very simple but cute cupcake idea.  I made these for the end of the year party for Treyton's preschool class. 

I just took a pink marshmallow and cut it into 5 pieces.  Then I placed them on the frosted cupcakes.  I simply stuck an M&M in the center to finish it off.  And there you go!  Simple and cute as promised

I've noticed that kids like to eat things that are pink so I chose to make strawberry cupcakes with pink frosting but you could do whatever.  Chocolate with a white marshmallow flower would be fun for fall, I'd think. 

Fun for any occasion!

Book Review - The Faith Dare

The Faith Dare is a devotional book by Debbie Alsdorf. It’s divided into four parts. The first part explains faith and why it’s important. This section also explains why testing our faith is part of the walk of a believer.

The second part of this book begins a thirty day challenge. Section two is about a personal relationship with God. It’s in a daily devotional format. Each day begins with a verse and a little story or topic or some such thing to convey an idea or teach a lesson. Then there is a praise/prayer usually coming from Psalms. Next is a series of verses called “today’s truth” which relate to the topic for the day. Alsdorf also uses this section to teach more about God’s word and how it applies to us today. After the teaching comes “today’s dare” which are challenges on how to apply the teaching and scripture to life in practical ways. Then there is a journal section for each day consisting of three questions to make it stick. The last two parts include a short prayer and finally a summation of the lesson/application in one or two sentences.

Although all of that sounds like a lot, each day is only around five pages. It definitely takes time but is do-able.

Part three and four of The Faith Dare continue the challenge in the same format as part two. Part three is about surrendering self; part four is about our relationship to others.

This is a good book, encouraging us to plod along, learn from our experiences, form new habits, and live to please God alone, trusting in His Word.