Star From Afar - A Fabulous New Christmas Tradition

Its November guys!  Can you believe it??? I certainly can't!  But the beginning of November means its time to start some Christmas reviews & posts!  I know, I know.  Many of you are thinking, "But we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet!  Don't worry.  Our family doesn't forget Thanksgiving.  There's plenty of Thanksgiving fun going on over here.  But I like to share Christmas posts with you guys early for two reasons.  1.) Its never too early to celebrate Jesus' birth!  2.) I wanna make sure you guys have plenty of time to order this awesome Christmas tradition before the Christmas season officially begins.  What tradition am I talking about?  The Star From Afar!

"The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New" Book Review

I have to tell you guys, I'm SO EXCITED about this review! You may remember my reviews of Long Story Short, Old Story New, and the other Gospel Story items.  I love Marty Machowski's Bible studies for kids.  He has a way of taking complicated Biblical truths and explaining them so that a child can understand.  And he's done it again in The Ology! 

Marty Machowski's Gospel Story Bible Study Aids For Families

Several months ago, I did a review of Marty Machowski's Long Story Short.  This is a fabulous family devotional on the Old Testament!  Today I'd like to introduce you guys to the rest of Mr. Machowski's Gospel Story collection!

"Song Of The Stars" Book Review

Let me start this review by saying I LOVE Sally Lloyd Jones!  If you haven't read the Jesus Storybook Bible, go out IMMEDIATELY and buy a copy for every little child you know!  Its wonderful!  So I jumped at the chance to review Sally Lloyd Jones' Christmas book, "Song Of The Stars."

"M Is For Manger" Book Review

You guys, Christmas is coming!!!  Ahhhh!!!!  I'm so excited!!!!  We love Christmas in our house!  We go ALL OUT!  Decorating, baking, Christmas movies, Christmas music, and Christmas books!  We love snowmen and reindeer and gumdrops.  But most of all, we love Jesus!  So we try our hardes to make sure that we keep the reason for Christmas very clear in our own minds and in our kids' minds.  That's why we love storybooks about the first Christmas!  "M Is For Manger" is a new favorite!

"God Made All Of Me; A Book To Help Children Protect Their Bodies" BookReview

As a mom of three young kids, I often feel like I have this parenting thing down. At least, the baby part.  I mean, I've done it three times now. But as my oldest grows, I realize more and more that there are going to be some interesting challenges ahead.  One of those challenges is broaching the subject of child abuse.  We owe it to our kids to teach them that there are certain things that other people aren't allowed to do to them - like touch certain parts of their body.  Its awkward even writing that sentence, so you can imagine how awkward it is to talk about.  But it needs to be discussed.  And it needs to be handled appropriately.  Thankfully, the folks at GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) and New Growth Press have provided a book to help us parents out!

"The Plans I Have For You" Book Review

I'm always on the lookout for children's books with great biblical lessons.  We have tons of books about God's love for us. (And I don't believe you can have too many of those!)  And we've got lots of books about God's awesomeness.  (Again, you can't have too many!)  But I think this is our first book about God's plans for us - and I'm so glad we found it!

"God Bless Our Fall" Book Review

I love Fall.  Its my favorite time of year!  I love cooler weather, lovely breezes, falling leaves, pumkins, comfort food, Thanksgiving, and Autumn colors.  I also love getting books about Fall to read with my kids, and "God Bless Our Fall," by Hannah C. Hall, is a great addition to our collection.

"The Navy Seal Art Of War" Book Review

As you may have noticed by the title, this isn't my typical book review fare. But when I had the opportunity to receive this book for review, I couldn't pass it up!  You see, my husband loves books about the military - and he's a business man!  So I thought he'd enjoy this one!  He agreed to read and review it for me!  So you get a special treat today - a review written by my husband...

"For The Love" Book Review

I love Jen Hatmaker.  There.  I said it.  And I mean it.  We've never met in person, but I feel like we're soul sisters.  She gets it.  She really gets it.  And she's able to write about it in a simple, yet profound; touching, yet hilarious style.  I first became acquainted with Jen when I read "7."  It was funny - REALLY funny.  Like wet your pants kinda funny.  But it was also deep and spiritual.  (How on earth does she hit both of those extremes in one book!?!) So when I got the opportunity to review "For The Love," I said, "I'm in!  Sign me up NOW!"

B&H Publishing Journaling Bibles Review

Have you seen the latest coloring craze?  It turns out, so studies confirm, that coloring actually relieves stress.  I know a lot of adults who color!  Seriously! Its a thing!  But when you think about it, it completely makes sense.  Coloring is an artistic, creative activity.  And those types of things are great for relieving stress!  So what could be better?  I'll tell you!  Adding some Bible verses to your coloring!  Reading and meditating on God's word is another stress-relieving activity!

So that brings me to my current review: Journaling Bibles.  These things are becoming CRAZY popular, you guys!  Now, if you are totally disinterested in getting "artsy" in your Bible, a journaling Bible is still a great option because it leaves lots of room for notes.  A journaling Bible is really great for everyone!!!

But lets get back to this "Bible Art Journaling" thing!  I'm totally on board!  I find Bible Art Journaling to not only be a relaxing, creative exercise, but it makes me really meditate and study a particular verse or passage.  I often find myself searching several different Bible translations when I'm journaling - to see how each one phrases the same thing.  Its a wonderful experience.

Here are a few examples of my recent Bible journaling.  These were done in my ESV Journaling Bible, but they will give you a taste of what I'm describing. -

B&H Publishing has 3 fabulous Journaling Bibles: the Holman Christian Standard Bible, the King James Version, and the New King James Version.  All three have a lay-flat binding, a 2 inch margin (although I measured and its actually more like 2.25 inches!), and 8pt font!

Here's my new HCSB (left) next to my ESV Journaling Bible (right).  The margin on the ESV is slightly less than 2 inches, so the HCSB margins are slightly wider.  The ESV has 7.5pt font, so the font on the HCSB is also slightly bigger. You wouldn't think 1/2 a font point would make a big difference, but it does!  They also have only one column of writing per page (versus the two columns in my ESV Journaling Bible). I really like the one column format.  It really makes everything seem less cluttered - especially after you add your art/notes.

Here are the three B&H Journaling Bibles together.  The top one is the HCSB.  The middle is KJV.  And the bottom is NKJV.  As you can see, the HCSB (top) and NKJV (bottom) have a phrase-by-phrase spacing, meaning that each new phrase is a new line (at least in the poetic books, like the Psalms.  The KJV (middle) has a verse-by-verse spacing.  I like the spacing of the HCSB & NKJV best.  

In the other books (such as the letters in the New Testament) all three have a paragraph spacing (meaning that each new thought/paragraph begins a new line, so there may be several verses together before a new line starts).  

The KJV and NKJV also have the words of Jesus in red.  The HCSB does not.  So far, that's the only downside I've seen to the HCSB.

I'm loving these Journaling Bibles!  They're easy to work in, easy to read, and well-made.  I plan to journal one for each of my kids with important Bible verses, great points from sermons at church, and my favorite hymns and praise songs.  You can pre-order your own HCSB, KJV, or NKJV Journaling Bible from Amazon.  They are scheduled to release on September 1, 2015!

You can find more of my Bible art (along with recipes, crafts, and reviews) on my instagram account: @theproverbs31mama

I received these Bibles, free of charge, from B&H Publishers, in exchange for my honest review.

Pediped Flex Sidra Shoe Review

If you read my blog at all, you know there are a few things I'm obsessed with: like proper footwear.  I have a wide variety of clothing companies I'll purchase from.  Its all about fit and feel.  But with shoes I'm EXTREMELY picky.  A bad pair of shoes can be a nightmare for your feet!  And for kids, a bad pair of shoes can actually lead to all sorts of serious issues.  According to recent studies, wearing the wrong shoes or ill-fitting shoes is responsible for 70% of foot problems.  Pedipeds shoes are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting healthy foot development, and that's a biggie for me!  I mean, if I can help keep my kids from having some of the issues I've been plagued with, I'd love to do that!  After all, who doesn't want better for their kids!  So when it comes to shoes, my kids only wear a couple of different brands, and the TOP brand on my list is Pedipeds!

"Hello Ninja" and "Blah Blah Black Sheep" Book Review

I'm always looking for great little board books to read to my kids.  With 3 small children, paper books don't often fare well in this house.  And often, at bedtime, Daddy and I are just too exhausted to read a long, drawn-out book.  (And the kids are often too tired to listen to a long, drawn-out book.) I wasn't sure if we'd like these two little books - both written by ND Wilson - when they first arrived, but they have quickly become favorites.


Hello Ninja is a cute, rhyming story about an adorable little ninja.  At the end, you find out that "Ninjas ninja hard all day, they need to sleep before they play."

"Say & Pray Bible" Review

My four year old is currently learning to read and I'm always on the lookout for ways to incorporate Bible reading into her phonics and reading lessons.  The Say & Pray Bible is a great way to do that!

"NIrV Study Bible For Kids" Review

The folks at Zonderkidz have done it again!  "Done what," you ask.  Well, make another fabulous study Bible for Kids!

The NIrV Study Bible for kids is colorful, informative, and easy to read!  It would make a great gift for any young reader who wants to study the Bible for themselves!  The font is large and easy to read.

"Moment By Moment" Book Review

Journaling is back in style these days.  Have you noticed?  There are journaling Bibles that you can decorate with beautiful pictures and lettering.  (If you don't know what I'm talking about, get on Instagram or Pinterest and search "journaling Bible."  You'll see some AMAZING stuff!!!)  Women are also using stickers, washi tape, and decorative lettering to get creative in their day planners.  Coloring is even becoming popular with adults!  All of these pastimes are not only a way to get creative, but they are stress-relievers too!  So when I saw "Moment by Moment: A Devotional Journal for Girls" I was intrigued!

"Unoffendable" Book Review

While looking for a new book to review from BookLook Bloggers, I passed "Unoffendable" by several times.  Maybe I found the title offensive?  Haha!  Finally, I decided to give it a try.  And what I found was an honest, thought-provoking, convicting book!  - And a great read!!!

"Parenting with Scripture" Book Review

I'm always looking for ways to help me parent better.  After all, parenting is HARD!  And who wouldn't want to be the best parent they can be?  So I'm always on the lookout for helpful parenting books.  Sometimes, however, parenting books give a lot of "fluff" and no "substance."  They don't give concrete advice for handling situations.  "Parenting with Scripture" is a different kind of parenting book!

"My Sing-Along Bible" Book And CD Review

I love a good Bible story book for my kids!  We have several.  My requirements are:
1.) It must be biblical.
2.) It must be engaging.
3.) It must be visually captivating.
Although the "My Sing-Along Bible" seemed to be poorly named - it isn't a full Bible and it really isn't a full of Bible "stories" - its still a great book and I was very pleased with it!

"HCSB Illustrated Study Bible for Kids" Book Review

One of the best things you can do for your kids is to get them into God's Word early.  Bible story books and other resources are FABULOUS helps in this area!  But once they are old enough to read, a child's study Bible is a great way to get them excited about studying God's Word for themselves!  And the HCSB Illustrated Study Bible is a great option!

"Long Story Short" Book Review

I'm always looking for new ways to teach my kids the Bible.  We read Bible story books, devotionals, and of course the Bible itself.  One of the Bible story books that we love is The Gospel Story Bible by Marty Machowski.  Its colorful, fun, and very well written.  So when I heard about Mr. Machowski's devotionals for children, I just had to check them out!

"Fit To Burst" Book Review

A couple of years ago I reviewed a book called "Loving the Little Years" by Rachel Jankovic.  This book really spoke to me because I am in that season of life: the "little years."  I have three kids younger than five years old.  My days are filled with spilled juice, crumbled cookies, puzzle pieces scattered all over the floor, diaper changes, and runny nose.  Its exhausting and amazing all at once and Rachel seems to really "get that."  So I was eager to review another book by her.  Thant's when I found "Fit to Burst: Abundance, Mayhem, and the Joys of Motherhood."

"Brave Girls Bible Stories" Book Review

As a blogger/book reviewer, I'm blessed to be able to review a lot of children's bible story books.  I love that - and so do my kids!  Its a lot of fun to get to read a story in different words and see different illustrations.  But most Bible story books have the same stories: Adam & Eve, Noah, Moses, Ruth, the Disciples, Paul, etc.  Those stories are fantastic - and need to be told - but there are others that deserve our attention. Enter Brave Girls Bible Stories.  Its the perfect Bible story book for little girls!!!

"Believe Storybook" Review

As a book reviewer, I have a lot of control over what I review.  For that reason, most of my book reviews are fairly positive.  After all, who's gonna pick a book they KNOW they're gonna hate?  Occasionally a book that I'm really excited about with disappoint.  (Sadly, my previous book review was one of those.)  But occasionally I will pick a book that I'm "not quite sure about" and it will be a FABULOUS SURPRISE.  The "Believe Storybook," by Randy Frazee is just such a book!!!

"A Fellowship of Differents" Book Review

I have to say, I was really excited about reviewing this book.  This is something God has been pressing on my heart lately - is my view of church biblical or simply traditional?  Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with tradition.  But if tradition trumps the Bible, then we're in trouble.  So I was excited to review "A Fellowship of Differents" by Scot McKnight.  However, this book wasn't what I expected.

Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Carrots

This month I've been branching out and trying new recipes.  I'm forcing myself to try some ingredients that I don't normally use.  One of those ingredients is sweet potatoes.  I've never been a big fan.  I think its because, in the South, sweet potatoes usually end up in a souffle or pie, and I'm not a big fan of either of those.  (I know, I'm a bad Southern girl.  LOL!)

But I forced myself to buy some sweet potatoes this week and search for a recipe.  That's when I saw several recipes on Pinterest for Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes and/or Carrots.  I had a huge bag of carrots as well, so I thought I'd give it a try - and mix the two.  After all, my main contention with sweet potatoes was that I didn't think potatoes should be "sweet."  But I figured, maybe on this one I just need to steer into the skid and embrace the sweetness. Well, let me just say, "Sweet Taters, where have you been all my life!?!"  I took the best elements from several recipes and threw these together.  And these babies are DELISH, if I do say so myself.  If you aren't a fan of carrots, you can just use 3 sweet potatoes.  Or, if you aren't a sweet potato gal, try 8-10 carrots.  But seriously, try them both.  You won't be sorry!!!  Come on, how delectable do these look!?!

"Because He Bends Down To Listen..."

I'm a mom.  I have three precious, precocious little ones under the age of five.  What does that mean?  Well, my days are filled with screaming, crying, whining, and shouts of "MINE!" and "She's touching me!"  Don't get me wrong.  My days are also filled with giggles, songs, chants of "I love you, Mama", and lots of snuggles.  But the screams?  They happen daily. (I have a two year old.)

As my husband and I have grown in parenting knowledge and experience, we've figured out what those screams and cries mean.  We can usually tell the difference between the "I want that!" scream and the "I'm hurt!" scream.  Sometimes we ignore the former.  Why?  Well for two reasons: 1.) We want our kids to learn to work some of those things out for themselves, and 2.) If we got up for every scream we'd never sit down. (Have I mentioned that we have a two year old?)

One thing our kids know is this: if something's really wrong; if they are hurt or scared, Mama and Daddy will come running - right away, without hesitation - to find out what's wrong.  But its hard to get a two year old or a four year old to verbalize what's wrong when they're sobbing - or screaming - so what do we do?  Probably the same thing you do: we bend down and put an arm around them or one of us will sit down and place them in our lap.  Then we softly try to calm their cries and give them a safe place to voice their pain or fear.  Did you know that's just what God does too!?!

Psalm 116:2 (in the KJV) says,

"Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, 

therefore will I call upon him as long as I live."

But there's another translation of this verse that REALLY brings God's fatherly love into full light. The New Living Translation says,

"Because he bends down to listen,    

I will pray as long as I have breath!"

"Because He bends down to listen..."  Did you see that!?!  God isn't disinterested or half-hearted.  He loves you as a father loves their child - because you ARE His child!  So when you're in pain; when you're hurting or scared, He bends down.  He comes down close to you and listens.  He takes time to comfort you and gives you a safe place to voice your pain or fear.  He bends down to listen.  What an AWESOME Heavenly Father we have!  And oh how He loves us!!!

"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” - Ro. 8:15 (NLT)

Celebrate Memorial Day With Great Resources from Thomas NelsonPublishers

"When it comes down to it, this is about keeping faith with the idea of America, because America is an idea, isn’t it? I mean, Ireland is a great country, but it is not an idea. Great Britain is a great country, it is not an idea. That’s how we see you around the world, as one of the greatest ideas in human history, right up there with the Renaissance, crop rotations and the Beatles’ White album. The idea, the American idea, it is an idea." - Bono, Georgetown University, 2012

Today is Memorial Day.  I would say, "Happy Memorial Day," but that seems a bit odd.  After all, this is a holiday that is meant to remind us of those who have died in the service of our country.  Coming from a family full of service members (Both of my grandfathers, my father, all five of my uncles, and three of my cousins have all served.  My family has served in every branch of the military.) this holiday is a powerful one to me.  So, in honor of Memorial Day, I thought it would be nice to review a couple of patriotic resources.  And thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers, I have two wonderful resources to share with you!

The first is the American Patriot's Bible...

Memorial Day Dessert: Miss American Pie

We have a ton of strawberries in the fridge (thanks Sam's Club!), so I decided to make a strawberry pie for dessert tonight.  If you've never had a fresh strawberry pie, its DELICIOUS!!!  I still remember the first time I tasted one of these lovelies.  It was at a couple's wedding shower that some friends of my in-laws threw for us.  I'm not a pie fan, but being that this was a wedding shower thrown for me, I didn't want to be rude, so I took a bite.  HOLY COW!  What had I been missing all my life!?!  (Turns out, I'm not a big fan of pies with cooked fruit in them.  Fresh fruit though, BRING IT ON!) 

Anyway, back to today.  I decided to make a fresh strawberry pie for dessert.  But I also wanted to make something patriotic since this is Memorial Day weekend.  And that's when it hit me - blueberries in the strawberry pie!  Add a little Reddi Wip on top and you've got a red, white and blue-themed dessert that will wow your family!  And its super easy to make!  WHAT!?!

BBQ (Pulled Pork) Paula Dean Style

In the South, there are a few things we take VERY seriously: faith, football, and food!  By "faith" I mean our relationship with God.  By "football" I mean college football, of course!  And by "food" I mean our great Southern Dishes: BBQ, ribs, potato salad, green beans, grits, boiled peanuts, pecan pie, Sweet Tea, and all the other glorious things that make the South, well, FABULOUS!  But for years after I was married, I only ate BBQ if someone else made it.  I though that it was "too complicated."  But its really not! A couple of years ago a friend introduced me to this great Paula Deen Pulled Pork Recipe and I've been thrilling my family with homemade BBQ sandwiches ever since!!!  Of course, like most recipes, I've "made it my own" - putting a little more apple juice, a little less vinegar - but I haven't really changed Paula's recipe much.  There's no need!

"The Day Is Waiting" Book Review

It was the illustration on the cover of this book that drew me in.  I was ready to choose a new book to review and I'd decided NOT to review another children's book.  It was time for something for me.  So yeh, no more children's books for a while.  But I kept going back to this book.  It was that illustration.  It reminded me of something my artist grandfather would have drawn.  So, yep, I'm reviewing another children's book.  And I'm SO GLAD I decided to!!!

Bacon-Lovers' Green Beans

Bacon.  Yeh, you heard that right!  BACON!!!  In the green beans!!!  I made these last night and I'm pretty sure my husband reached a new level of consciousness when he tried them.  He said to me, "Why?  Why would you ever make green beans any other way!?!"  Well, OK.  I guess that's approval of my new dish!

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Chicken Quesadillas (Freezer Friendly)

I'm always looking for easy, delicious new recipes to try with my family.  And often, my new creations are born from ingredients I'm trying to use up in my fridge or pantry.  That's how this recipe was born!  Got a packet of ranch seasoning?  Got some taco seasoning?  Any salsa in the fridge?  A few strips of bacon?  Some chicken and cheese?  Bam!

"Look & Find: Old Testament Stories" Book Review

You may remember my blog review at the end of April on Look & Find: New Testament Stories."  I really loved that book and its concept.  (Think Bible story book meets Where's Waldo!)  So when the awesome folks at B&H Publishing offered me the chance to review "Look & Find: Old Testament Stories," I jumped at the opportunity!

"7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess" Book Review

"Done. In less than 2 days. 220 pages. Bam! Now, for some of you, that may be the easiest thing in the world. But I have 3 small children, homeschool, a TV addiction, and an inability to read more than 20 pages a day if the book isn't absolutely captivating. But, thanks to @jenhatmaker that's what this book was! Captivating. But this book also made me harbor some hate for Jen. She has a way of making you laugh until you wet yourself and then convicting you until you're on your knees. Darn it Jen Hatmaker!"

That was my post on Instagram this morning.  (You can follow me @theproverbs31mama. You can follow Jen @jenhatmaker .) Seriously, I never finish a book that quickly.  I just don't have the time, the energy, the mental faculty, the drive.  I have friends that read 6 books a week.  I look at them like they've got an alien growing out of their head.  I. Can't. Do. It.   Oh crap!  I can't use that excuse anymore!  Once again, thanks Jen Hatmaker! *#@!!(*

"Salsas And Moles" Cookbook Review

I love salsa.  Its a true love - deep and real.  I have friends from Bolivia and whenever I visit them, they make chicken empanadas and serve it with "aji" (a simple salsa made with just tomatoes, hot peppers, and salt).  Its a meal a devour.  Its incredible.  As I mentioned, I love salsa.

So, I was thrilled to get the chance to review Salsas And Moles, by Deborah Schneider...

The Berenstain Bears "God Made You Special" Book Review

My little ones LOVE The Berenstain Bears!  And so do I!  After all, its something I remember fondly from my own childhood.  The first books were written by Jan and Stan Berenstain in 1962, but their son took over full authorship of the series in 2012 - after his mother's death.  Talk about a HUGE legacy to live up to!  But I think he's done a great job!  And "God Made You Special" is no exception!

A Wild Soap Bar Review

I love reviewing natural soaps and products, so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to review some items from A Wild Soap Bar.  They have tons of bar soaps, tooth saver soaps, balms, and even doggie soap!  The awesome folks at A Wild Soap Bar were kind enough to send me their Witch Hazel bar soap, their Honey Oat soap bar, their Honey Oat body balm, and their Woof Wild dog shampoo...

Dr. Squatch Men's Soap Review

My husband loves when I tell him I've got something for him to review!  After all, he wants to join in on the fun!  Haha!  So he was excited when I told him he'd be receiving some soaps from Dr. Squatch Men's Natural Soap.  He received 3 different soaps: Spearmint Basil Scrub, Bay Rum and Gold Moss Scrub...

For All The Moms... Hold on to the highs, and just breathe through the lows.

Yesterday was Mother's Day and I couldn't help but think of all my friends who are experiencing new mothering challenges.  I have friends who just gave birth to their very first little blessing, friends who just had their third or fourth child, and friends who are about to take on a new challenge - multiples!  I have friends who have recently adopted, friends who are fostering to adopt, and friends who are caring for someone else's child along with their own - just because they saw a need and felt called to meet it.  I have friends who are on baby number five and friends who have struggled for years just to have one precious blessing.  I, myself, just added a third little person to the list of people who call me mom, so my husband and I have recently joined the ranks of the "parents who are outnumbered by their kids."

"Fast Freddy" Children's Book Review

"Fast Freddy" is an adorable, colorful, fun children's book that teaches kids that its OK to be different.

When I first started reading this little book - about a sea creature named Freddy that has the head of a shark and the body of an octopus - I thought it was just a cute little story to teach kids that they should be nice to everyone.  But its not that simple.  It teaches a lot more!

"Look & Find: New Testament Stories" Book Review

My little ones love to "read."  Well, they love to be read to.  And they love to pretend they are reading.  (They aren't old enough to read yet.)  But I love to get them books about the Bible.  And they love books about the Bible!  After all, kids love amazing stories, and the Bible is FULL of amazing stories! I was thrilled to add the Look & Find Bible: New Testament Stories to our collection!