Zondervan Christmas Books for Kids

We You guys!  Its almost November!  I can't believe it!  I'm usually ready MONTHS in advance!  But I still have presents to buy and I haven't gotten a thing for the hubby yet!  LOL! I can't wait to decorate!  We usually pull the tree out right before or right after Thanksgiving!  ANd I collect nativities, so I pull all those out!  And one thing that we have TONS of - CHRISTMAS BOOKS!  With three little kids, we have lots of Christmas books!  I just can't get enough!  So when Zonderkidz asked me me to review several of their latest Christmas titles, I jumped at the chance!  Let's see what's new for this year:

1.) Ready, Set, Find Christmas

Bible Journaling Together: The HCSB Illustrator's Notetaking Bible andthe Illustrator's Notetaking Bible for Teens

I started my Bible journaling adventure last year.  Its been amazing.  Its wonderful to really meditate on a passage or verse - or even a point from the Sunday sermon - and then illustrate it in my Bible.  I do mostly "creative lettering" and some very basic illustrations.  But sometimes I just can't think of a way to illustrate a verse.  The Illustrator's Notetaking Bible & Teen Bible are the perfect Bibles for days like that!

Great Bibles for All Ages! (Multi Bible Review)

I'll admit it.  We own LOTS of Bibles!  Study Bibles, Reference Bibles, Journaling Bibles, Children's Bibles, etc.  I can't get enough!  They each have great information to help us better understand God's Word!  And there are some FANTASTIC new Bibles that have been released recently!  Any of these Bibles would make a great gift for someone you love!  And with Christmas coming, what better gift to give than the gift of God's Word! So let me share some of them with you!

Study Bibles:

1.) American Woman's Bible: Women, Godly Virtues, and the Making of America

Great Kids' Resources from Zonderkidz

I love when its time to review the newest books from Zonderkidz!  They have some wonderful resources for kids!

From Children's Bibles, to board books, to chapter books, to coloring books!  So much to choose from for all ages!  Here are a few of their newest:

LuLaroe Cassie Review, Featuring Jonelle Zika (Giveaway As Well!!!)

Today I have a LuLaRoe review featuring just one piece!  One AMAZING piece!  The Cassie skirt!

I'm gonna be really honest.  I had no desire whatsoever to try the Cassie.  It's a pencil skirt and I'm chubby and short (5'2").  LOL!  I do do straight skirts.  I just don't feel comfy in them.At least, until now!

LuLaRoe Review, Featuring Fran Heard (GIVEAWAY POST)

Ladies!  Its time for another LuLaRoe review!  Woohoo!!!  The more of these clothes that I try, the more I love them!  Seriously, you guys! I've struggled with my weight for years and its been a long time since I've felt comfortable AND pretty in an outfit!  And I'm so OVER THE MOON IN LOVE with the fact that, even after I finish losing weight - which I'm currently working on - I can still wear most of the items I already have!  They're THAT versatile!  Most of the women that I know who wear LuLaRoe wear multiple sizes!

So today I'd like to introduce you to the fabulous Fran Heard of Shop LuLaRoe Fran Heard.  She has some fabulous inventory!  (And let me just say, you can NEVER know too many LuLaRoe consultants!  Why?  Well, they each sell different styles and different patterns!  You may find a skirt you love at one shop and the perfect matching skirt at another!)  Fran sent me a couple of fabulous pieces to review!  First up, these fabulous leggings!

LuLaRoe Clothing Review Featuring Victoria Hartford (Giveaways As Well!)

If you read my blog last week, you saw my first LuLaRoe review!  LuLaRoe is a fabulous, new clothing company that I recently discovered!  It didn't take me long to fall in love!  Today I'd like to bring you a new review and feature a new consultant: Victoria Hartford!

Victoria was kind enough to send me 3 items for review - an Irma top, a pair of leggings, and a Perfect T!  She was extremely easy to work with, fast at replying to facebook messages, and shipped promptly!  (These are all great characteristics in a LuLaRoe consultant!) So let's take a look at some of the items!

LuLaRoe Leggings Review, Featuring Tara Norman

You guys, I'm SUPER excited to introduce you to the LuLaRoe clothing line!  I actually have several LuLaRoe reviews lined up, but I wanted to start with their most popular item - LEGGINGS!  I also wanted to introduce you to one of my FAVORITE ladies, who just so happens to be a LLR consultant - Tara Norman!

First, the leggings!  These leggings are described as "buttery soft" and, you guys, IT IS TRUE!  These leggings are SO SOFT!!!  And they are thicker than your average legging!  Not so thick that they're too warm to wear, but thick enough that they feel comfortable and stay up!

NKJV American Woman's Bible Review

As you know if you read my blog with any regularity, I LOVE reviewing study Bibles! It always fascinates me to see what Bible scholars have to say about certain passages.  That's why my family owns so many different study Bibles.  Each one is interesting and helpful in its own way. For this reason,I was THRILLED when Thomas Nelson Publishers released the American Woman's Bible last month!

Punderdome Card Game Review

Once upon a time, there was a comedian named Jo Firestone.  She and her dad started this super cool, monthly pun competition in New York City, called "Punderdome."  FOlks battle it out to see who can tell the most puns.  Now, if you know anything about me, you know this is a competition I can totally get behind!  So I was so excited to see that the Firestones have turned their competition into a card game!

BabyTime USA Product Review

Its summer time!  More time in the sun means more need for sunscreen! And, if you live in the South, like we do, it means its also time to stock up insect repellent!  These are two of the many reasons that I LOVE BabyTime Products (formerly Episencial).  We've been using their products for years!  Sunscreen, bug repellent, bath wash, lotion, we love it all!

Summer Reading (from Zonderkidz) for You and Your Child

Its summertime!  That means swimming, playing outside, barbeques, and ice cream!  But it can also mean extra time for snuggling and reading with your little ones!  The fabulous folks at Zonderkidz have sent me some of their newest releases to share with you!

The Fourth of July is quickly approaching!  And that means lots of red, white, and blue decorations and patriotism!  God Bless America is a wonderful little board book to help you share your love of this country with your little one! Follow Henry and his family as they travel across the USA and see the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, Hollywood, and Washington, DC!

"Hope Unfolding: Grace-Filled Truth For The Momma's Heart" Book Review

I really enjoyed "Hope Unfolding," by Becky Thompson.  At first I wasn't so sure I would.  The first chapter was all about how she met and married her husband.  And, although it was interesting, the story seemed to drag a little.  But after that, the book just got better.

"Starter Bible" Book Review

My kiddos love to be read to!  And they love to read!  (Well, the oldest is learning to read like now.  The two youngest are still in the "pretending to read" category. Or, as my oldest says, "reading the pictures." So we love colorful, engaging books.

"The Life Giving Home" Book Review

"Home is a place of ministry.  Redeeming words, thoughts, and actions are shared and taught, the wisdom and instruction of God is passed along, and God's love is offered to all who come under its influence." - Sally Clarkson

This is what I want for my home - for it to be a place of ministry, a place of wisdom and instruction, a place that is full of God's love.  But, honestly, sometimes "life" gets in the way of my plans.  I get overwhelmed with the everyday, mundane tasks of life and forget my mission and my ministry.

Giggle Moon Review

Disclosure - Per FTC Regulations, I am disclosing that I received product(s) from this company/website, free of charge, for review. I was in no other way compensated for my review. The views expressed in this review are my own, honest opinions and any claims should be verified on the sponsor's site.

You guys!  Its time for another Giggle Moon review!  I love this company so much!!!  Their heart for designing beautiful clothing is explained on their website:

"The purpose of Giggle Moon is to glorify God thru love, joy, and laughter.  We strive to bring joy into all the lives we encounter.  Our clothes are designed with much love and thought."

"Pressing Pause:100 Quiet Moments For Moms To Meet With Jesus" BookReview

As a mom of three littles, I'm busy.  Some days I'd even used the word "overwhelmed." And its often hard to find time for an extended quiet time.  By that I mean, my quiet time may be an hour long, but it will be broken up into 15 minutes here, then breaking up an argument, changing a diaper, bandaging a skinned knew, cuddling a crying toddler, 10 minutes there, then getting a snack for a hungry baby, finding a kindergartener's lost shoe, cleaning up the apple juice on the floor, etc.  That's why books like "Pressing Pause" are so helpful!

"Loving My Actual Life" Book Review

As a stay-at-home mom/homeschooling mom, sometimes its hard to love my actual life.  I get bogged down in the minutia, overwhelmed by the huge "to-do" list.  So when I saw Alexandra Kuykendall's book, "Loving My Actual Life: An Experiment In Relishing What's Right In Front Of Me," I knew I had to read it.

"Life Verse Creative Journal Set" Book Review

As you've seen before - if you read my blog or follow me on Instagram, I'm a huge fan or Bible journaling!  God loves our creativity!  And He loves when we use it to worship Him and draw closer to Him!  So I was thrilled at the prospect of reviewing B&H Publishers new release, Life Verse Creative Journal.

"Having A Martha Home The Mary Way" Book Review

I'll be honest. I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this book.  Its a book on homemaking/housekeeping and this is an area I struggle with.  I'm not the most disciplined when it comes to house cleaning and chores. But I was pleasantly surprised.  This book is so much more.

"Hands Free Life: 9 Habits For Overcoming Distraction, Living Better,And Loving More" Book Review

As a book reviewer, I'm blessed to be able to choose the books I'd like to review.  That's why, most of the time I post glowing reviews.  After all, who picks a book they think they're gonna hate, right?  But every once in a while I review a book that doesn't "thrill" me.  Sadly, this was one of those books.

"Live Fearless" Adult Coloring Book Review

As I've mentioned before, adult coloring is all the rage right now!  And its not hard to imagine why.  We live in a fast-paced, stress-filled world, and coloring is a stress-reducing activity.  But adult coloring has also become very popular in the Christian community.  Bible journaling (drawing in the margins of your Bible. (You can see examples of my Bible journaling pages on my Instagram account.) With this cross-over appeal, its not surprising that Christian coloring books are becoming popular.  Margaret Feinberg, however, has gone a step further - combining adult coloring with an actual Bible study!

"Wonderland: A Coloring Book Inspired By Alice's Adventures" Book Review

Alice's Adventures In Wonderland has a special place in my heart.  It was the first book I ever read to my little girl (before she was even a year old), so when I had the opportunity to review this coloring book, I jumped at the chance!

Adult coloring books have become all the rage!  Their intricate designs offer hours of stress-relieving fun!  (Adults are beginning to see why kids love to color so much.  It lowers blood pressure, relieves stress, and calms the mind.)

Protecting Our Kids: Keeping Kids Safe From Physical And Sexual Abuse

As a mom to three young children, their protection is ALWAYS on my mind.  Because they are still young, they are still pretty insulated.  But no matter how hard my husband and I try - or how hard every other mom and dad on earth tries - we can't watch our children every minute of the day.  And so, its EXTREMELY important to teach them safety tips that will keep them from danger.  With that in mind, I thought I'd share with you, my precious readers, some of my favorite tips and resources (from the experts) for protecting our kids!  I go over these tips during homeschool time, ask them questions and give them scenarios to help them be prepared!

Let me start by giving you a few statistics. (Stats taken from netgrace.org , safelyeverafter.com , and https://www.nsopw.gov)
1.) 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have been sexually abused as children.
2.) 1 out of 4 children are physically abused.
3.) 90% of child sexual abuse occurs by someone the child knows.
4.) It takes less than 1 minute for a predator to lure a child away.
5.) Approximately 1.8 million adolescents in the U.S. have the the victims of sexual assault.
6.) Not all perpetrators are adults - an estimated 23% of reported cases of child sexual abuse are perpetrated by individuals under the age of 18.

NKJV Teen Study Bible Review

If you read my blog, you know how much I love a study Bible!  Seriously!  I can't get enough!  I love the notes and explanations in a study Bible.  They really help you dig into the Word!  So what could be a better gift for a teenager than a study Bible geared towards them!  The NKJV Teen Study Bible is just that sort of Bible!

All of the study helps in this Bible are geared towards teens - their problems, their questions, and their life...

NIrV Minecrafters Bible Review

I don't have any little "minecrafters" in my house, but I have lots of friends who do, so I jumped at the opportunity to review this new Mincrafters Bible (releasing June 7, 2016)!  One thing that really helps kids learn the Bible is being able to intereact with it.  This Bible helps accomplish that in a way that will keep your child entertained.

With the NIrV (NIV Reader-Friendly) translation, this Bible is easy-to-understand for young readers.  And throughout the Bible are full-color pages with unofficial Minecraft activities.  For example, their are challenges like building Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 6), planting crops (Mark 4), and create a stable and a manger (Luke 2, Matthew 2).

If your child is into minecraft, they probably want to play whenever they can (like most other video games).  If they're gonna play, why not have them read a Bible story and complete the challenge. Use their hobby to help them engage more with God's word!

I received a copy of this book, free of charge, from Zonderkidz, in exchange for my honest review.

Great Mother's Day Gift Ideas

*Note - I had planned to post this review much earlier, but my oldest came down with a NASTY bug.  When I finally had her nursed back to health, she lovingly shared the bug with me.  Haha!  I considered not posting, but then I thought of how many folks forget Mother's Day, so I thought it would come in handy.  Also, to be honest, as a mom, I much more prefer to be surprised with a gift on a day OTHER than Mother's Day.  It shows that my loved ones appreciate me even when they aren't required to!  So pick up one of these fantastic books for your mom and hold it as a "just because" gift. Your mom will love that!

Mother's Day is coming up!  (Yay!) Does anyone else wish Mother's Day was on a Saturday instead of Sunday?  Seriously, what mom gets to sleep in and enjoy breakfast in bed when you have little kids to get ready for church?  But I digress. Every mom wants to feel appreciated, so I thought I'd give you guys some great gift ideas for that sweet mama in your life.

1.) The Mother Letters (Revell Books)-

"Safe House: How Emotional Safety Is The Key To Raising Kids Who Live, Love And Lead Well" Book Review

There are thousands of Christian parenting books out there.  And I've read quite a few.  Some I've loved.  Some I've hated.  And some I've marginally agreed with.  I've found that its always good to take a parenting book with a grain of salt.  After all, no two parenting situations are exactly the same.  I enjoyed Joshua Straub's Safe House because it focused on something that I need to work on - emotions.  I often find myself getting emotional when my kids disobey - getting angry, frustrated, exasperated.  But I know that if I respond in my emotions, then I'm not teaching my children good behavior.  (Have you ever seen your kid have a hissy fit and you realize that they are modeling you?  I have.  And its painful.)

Getting Artistic With Quarto Books!

There's nothing more fun that getting your craft on!  I'm a crafter at heart.  I inherited that from my mama, who inherited it from her daddy.  My problem is, unlike my mama and grandpa, I need a little "help" being creative.  Haha! With three small kids, I often feel like I don't have enough brain cells left to think things up on my own.  So I'm always thrilled to try a new artistic how-to book! 

The fine folks at Quarto Publishing Group were kind enough to send me some help, so let's take a look!

1.) Art Lab For Kids; 52 Creative Adventures In Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, And Mixed Media -

Great Zonderkidz Resources for New Believers (Young Kids)

I am so thrilled to let my readers know that my oldest accepted Christ this past Sunday!  Her father and I were blessed to be able to lead her to the Lord.  Although she's young, we feel confident that she understands her decision.  But we want to make sure that we help her to grow in Christ.  So I'm always on the lookout for great books that will help her to grow.  Thankfully, the AWESOME folks at Zonderkidz agreed to share some of their newest resources with my daughter so that I can share my thoughts with my readers!

1.) Kids Quest Study Bible NIrV (Releases April 19, 2016) - Up to this point, we've been mostly using Bible story books with the kids. But we wanted to give our daughter her very own Bible to celebrate her decision to follow Christ.  The Kids Quest Study Bible is a great option!  Its an NIrV. (That means its an NIV "reader friendly" version, perfect for kids 6-10 years old.)

Learning Made Fun: Great Educational Resources From Quarto Publishing Group

As a mom of three, I'm constantly on the lookout for great books to share with my kids. And as a homeschooling mom, if I can find a great book that teaches my kids, then all the better!  Recently I came across Quarto Publishing Group while searching Amazon for some new, interesting and educational books.  The fine folks at Quarto were kind enough to send several of their titles for review.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE that they're all educational in some way!  And I love that they have something for all ages!!!  So let's take a look!

1.) Animal Parade Puzzle Book - If you have a toddler, this is a great book for you!  Not only is it a board book (no paper pages for your little one to rip), but its bright and colorful!  Your toddler will love looking at all the colorful prints on these pages!

But, to take this book up a notch, its interactive!!!  There's a puzzle piece on every page!!!  So as you're reading, your little one can remove the pieces and put the puzzle together!!!!  So cool!!!

And to add to the educational aspect of this book, it teaches little ones about the concepts of "bigger" and "smaller."  The farther along you get in the book, the bigger the animal!

Once you're finished, the puzzle pieces go right back in the book!  Fantastic!

2.) Amazing (Mostly) Edible Science - One thing that makes education more interesting is a hands-on activity!  This book is FILLED with them (and, as the name implies, most of them are edible)!

There are all sorts of experiments and activities of all different levels.  (Some are simple and some are more involved.) One of my favorites is this Candy-Cane Origami.  All you need is a handful of candy canes, tin foil, and a cookie sheet!  How fun is that!!!  And seriously, who doesn't have 100 old candy canes after Christmas?!?  I know we do!

3.) Art Lab: 52 Creative Adventures In Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, And Mixed Media - My kids LOVE doing art projects!  And I love them too!  But I often find myself at a loss for a creative idea.  This book solves that problem!  There are all sorts of fantastic ideas in here - from drawing, to painting, to leaf prints.  Each idea has step-by-step directions and pictures (a MUST for people like me who do better if they can SEE what its supposed to look like).

There's also a section at the beginning of the book that has lots of helpful hints for setting up an art space, working with others, etc.

4.) Nature's Day: Discover The World Of Wonder On Your Doorstep - This is a BEAUTIFUL BOOK!  I'm so impressed by it! Its a large, hardback book, full of beautiful illustrations. 

Its divided up by seasons, which makes it a fantastic educational source!  Each season has 8 sections: the backyard, the veg garden, the woods, the farm, the fields, the pond, the orchard, and the street.

Each section has beautiful illustrations and lots of information to help you and your child learn more about the world around you!  Take your child for a walk and see how many things you can find and learn about!  Have a picnic outside and read the book to learn! SO lovely!

5.) Nature's Day: Out And About - If you REALLY want an interactive nature experience, I highly recommend you get this newly released workbook to go along with the book mentioned above!

Written by the same author, and with the same format - broken up by season - this book takes you on a great treasure hunt through the world around you! 

Your child can learn about different types of flowers and birds and then draw the ones that they see around them.  They can color beautiful scenes of the different seasons. 

And they can learn how to do awesome crafts and activities - like how to make a daisy chain, how to do leaf rubbings, and how to make ice art. 

This is a great way to get your child interested in nature!


6.) The Secret Life Of A Snowflake: An Up-Close Look At The Art & Science Of Snowflakes - If your kids are anything like mine, they're obsessed with Frozen right now.  This book is a FANTASTIC way to take a subject that they are interested in and use it as a teaching opportunity!

This book is amazing!  Beautiful pictures of all sorts of snowflakes, plus tons of incredible information.  There's even a page to teach them how to make paper snowflakes!  This book is lovely and fascinating!  The photographs are particularly fascinating!

7.) Enchanted Coloring Book: Magical Images To Make Your Own - I know what you're thinking.  How is a coloring book educational?  As a homeschooling mom, I learned something very quickly -  my five year old actually listens MUCH better if she has something to do with her hands!  If I tell her to just sit and listen, odds are she will be distracted in half a second.  But if I let her color while I read, I'm amazed at how much she absorbs!

So coloring books are very important to our schooling!  This book is beautiful and intricate enough for an adult to enjoy, but the pages are not so intricate that my daughter can't enjoy them as well.

8.) Bletchley Park: The Secret Archives - This final book isn't for small children, but its definitely educational!  With the recent film, The Imitation Game (about Alan Turing and the breaking of the Enigma Code during WW2), Bletchley Park is back in the news!  Bletchley Park, once an estate, was used during the war as the central location for Britain's famous codebreakers. 

This beautiful, hardbound book is full of the fascinating history of this place and the people who worked there!

There's also tons of extras!  There are several "pockets" with drawings and copies of actual codes and notes that the codebreakers made!

There's even a copy of a poster used to remind military men to be careful not to spill secrets when they're out on a date!  LOL!  So interesting and definitely a collectors item for anyone interested in the codebreakers or WW2 in general!

This book is extremely fascinating!  As soon as my husband got home from work last night, he spent half an hour just flipping through it.  It looks like we'll be fighting over who gets to read it first! 

I received these books, free of charge, from Quarto Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest review.