RG3

I am probably the most unqualified person to be reviewing this book about football.  I am a mom who has never played nor watched much football.  Sad I know.  I am a Hoosier who lived in Bronco land for five years.  They won their 2 Super Bowls when I lived there...very exciting, especially for my husband who is a die hard Bronco fan.  He has fond memories of Mile High Stadium with his grandparents who were season ticket holder for years!

This year my 7th grader is playing football, which he hasn't done since 3rd grade.  So he is in whole new territory.  He is not a starter on his team, and he is okay with this.  He goes to practice, stands on the sidelines with his friends, and once in a blue moon steps foot on the field during a game.

I have also recently become obsessed with Friday Night Lights on Netflix!  I watched 2 episodes on a lazy Saturday afternoon and cannot stop watching it.  I am almost done with the second season.

Here is what I learned from the book Robert Griffin III about football...

*2012 was a great year to be drafted in the NFL.

*The Washington Redskins are totally counting on RG3 to win them a Super Bowl.

*RG3 will never be a rookie again.

*"Draft history would dictate that over 50% of the quarterbacks drafted in the first round each year are busts, meaning either Rober Griffin or Andrew Luck could potentially be an NFL washout"

Now that I have read this book, I am sure going to have to look at the Washington Redskins and their league record this year.  I love how the author ends his book...

"And whether Robert Griffin III takes the NFL by storm, or whether he underwhelms long-term because of an injury or some other reason, I'll remember his rookie year fondly.  And I'll miss it, because he'll never be new again."

I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my review.  The opinions are mine.

Take Flight! {Review}

I love to read books and collect quotes from them.  I have a notebook that I use specifically for book quotes.  I have to say that I have more quotes from the Sisterchick books than any other books I have read.  Robin Jones Gunn is definitely a gifted author, and I love the wisdom and Truth that her words speak to me.  So I was very excited to read her devotional book that she co-authored with her dear friend Cindy Hannan.

According to the book, a SISTERCHICK is "a friend who shares the deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and provides a reality check when you're being a brat."  Who doesn't need sisterchicks in her life?

What I love about this devotional is that each chapter begins with a quote from one of the sisterchick books.  Then the authors take turns sharing stories and wisdom from real life and the Bible.  At the end of each devotional they share a practical application for everyday life.  {What good is learning something new then having no way to apply it?}  

I think this would be a great devotional book to buy one for yourself and give another one to a friend.  The two of you could read this book and talk about it over coffee at Starbucks! {one of my favorite places to meet and talk!}

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review from blogging for books.  The opinions are mine.*

MY PRINCESS DEVOTIONS {review}

What little girl doesn't like princesses?!?  As a mom of three rowdy boys and one grown princess {aka daughter}, I was so excited to read this new devotional book for preschoolers.  It definitely brought out the inner princess in me.  And hopefully one day {further down the road}, I will be able to share this with my adorable granddaughters!

The cover consists of two adorably dress princess and it just invites you to open it up and read.  There is one page for each day of the year, and each day is divided into the following sections:

ROYAL WORDS {a short scripture verse}

PRINCESS THOUGHTS {a short thought about the verse}

A PRAYER FOR THE KING {specific words to pray to our Heavenly Father}

PRINCESS IN ACTION {how to apply this verse to everyday life}

Each day is short and to the point.  They are the perfect length for a preschooler's attention span!  This would be the perfect way to start or end the day with your royal princess!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review.  The opinions are mine.*

Splitting Harriet

My sister and I always say for growing up in a Christian "fish bowl", we have both turned out pretty good! We grew up in a strict fundamentalist Baptist church and attended a Christian school. Our parents were not in the ministry, per se, but it still feels like we grew up with everyone in our community watching every move we made. My sister went to a small private college, and I chose to go to Indiana University after graduation. Talk about eye-opening! I have pretty much come full circle, still attend church, and now my husband works in our church office.

In Splitting Harriet, the main character happens to be a preacher's kids (PK) turned bad, turned good again. She is constantly getting stuck in her past prodigal ways and finds it hard to accept grace and forgiveness. She is the women's ministry leader for the church she grew up in, which at times makes it even harder for her because her fellow church goers know all about her past.

My favorite piece of advice from this book is "The old Harri doesn't exist anymore, so do us all a favor and come to terms with who you are now--a FORGIVEN woman. Then, and only then, decide what to do. If you don't you'll end up bitter. And nobody wants that, especially God." (pg. 344-345)

For anyone with a spotted past {which pretty much included everyone on this planet}, this book is a great reminder of the forgiveness we are given. I love how Harri embraces the forgiveness given to her, starts believing in herself, having fun, and taking chances. Some things we should all do a little bit more of.

*I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my review.  The opinions are mine.*

The Christian Mama's Guide {to the grade school years} Review

I am so excited to share about this new author and book I have discovered.  I love {love love} to read, and I really enjoy learning about authors.  So when I found Erin MacPherson, I think we could be friends in real life.  {not in a stalker kind of way}  

Here's a little about this author:

Erin MacPherson is a mom of three who never does anything halfway. When she discovered she was pregnant she decided to write about it—but then kept writing. A former staff writer and editor for Nickelodeon, Erin now entertains parents on her personal blog as well as through her book series, The Christian Mama's Guides (Thomas Nelson, 2013), freelance magazine articles, devotionals and speaking. She wants to come beside her readers not only as a confidant and Christian sister, but also as a best girlfriend who understands what daily life is all about.  

*From faithgateway.com 

I have three boys of my own, two of which are still in grade school.  So this new book is just what this mama needs!  It is not easy to put two eight year olds on a school bus each morning wondering what in the world they are going to be exposed to.  Teachers, kids, bus drivers, lunch ladies, and any other person my children come in contact with can be a positive or negative experience.  And having a good family foundation can help kids thrive!

This book is based on The Fifteen Factors {the first of which is Genuine Faith: a faith that is personal and real} which can help kids grow strong foundations for faith, academic, and social success.  And what mom doesn't want these for her kids?!?
*You can go here to get a free printable download of The Fifteen Factors To Help Your Kid Succeed.

Each chapter includes a Time-Out for Mom with a scripture verse and a short prayer that can be applied to specific situations in mothering. {like praying about the right school for your child or learning to better communicate with your kids}

I love the verse about the plans God has made for us.  How he gives us hope for the future.  How he wants us to prosper.  This is the same prayer I have for my children every single day.  And with this excellent resource, I am one step closer to letting my kids go into the real world!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review.  The opinions are mine.*

RESCUE TEAM Book Review

I graduated from Indiana University (go Hoosiers) School of Nursing in 1996.  I cannot believe I have been a nurse for 17 years now.  I worked for one year as a nurse for our state's department of corrections, then moved to the operating room and never left.  I have been witness to thousands of operations and procedures and still don't get bored.  My grandma, mom, and sister are all nurses as well.  So I guess I was pretty much destined to become a nurse also.

Reading is one of my favorite things to do, so when I was able to read Candace Calvert's newest book Rescue Team, I was very excited.  The book centers around an Emergency Room nurse, Kate Callison, who seems to be running away from the past.  She has taken on a new role in the ER (after the disappearance of a favorite charge nurse) and is trying to pour her heart and soul into her career and nothing else.

As luck would have it, there is a rescue worker, Wes Tanner, who lives to save lives.  He starts investing time and energy into Kate in hopes to win her over.

No matter what her circumstances, there was always hope.  Wes believed that.  It was the reason he searched ditches in the dark, shouted a missing person's name for hours against wind and freezing rain.  Why he never gave up on stubborn horses.....or people. (pg. 104)

This story is all about hope and how important it is to never give up on people, no mattter how hard they push against the truth.  There is freedom in the truth and that is why we need to keep fighting lies and the past.  No matter what!  

Good memories are God's mercy.  Remember that.

Because otherwise it's hard to see the hope.  Or find the peace that comes with forgiveness. And living that way is the worst kind of loss. (pg. 322)

I am thankful for hope and peace and forgiveness!

I received this book in exchange for my review from the Tyndale Publishing Company.

Tyndale also has a REWARDS PROGRAM you should check out.  There is a profile to fill out and a few surveys you can take to earn points.  You can then use your points to earn free Tyndale books or even really cool Bibles.  Free is always good in my book!!

DIAL KIDS BODY & HAIR WASH

CONTES IS CLOSED!!  WINNERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED

I have some very messy kids.  As a mom with three boys, I am always looking for products that make life simpler.  This Dial for Kids Body and Hair Wash is just the kind of product I like.  After playing in the mud one rainy afternoon, I was able to toss my very dirty twin boys in the shower with this Kids Body Wash! I love that this product works from head to toe.  No bars of soap or multiple bottles for them to play with!  We were able to try the Watery Melon scent and really liked it.

Some things I love about this product are:

*tear free*

*hypoallergenic*

*no artificial dyes or parabens*

*Ph balanced*

You can check out the full line of Dial for Kids Body Wash for yourself.  I am a part of the Purex Insider program and was able to try this product out for my family.  I am also giving away a FREE PRODUCT COUPON (maximum value $4.49) to two readers who comment on this post.  I want to know what the weather is like in your neck of the woods.  It's hot (80s) and sunny here in Indiana.

Contest ends 5/8/2013.  I will contact the winner by email, so make sure I have a way to get in touch with you!