Cleaning House

Having triplets, I have lived on the reactive side of things for so long.  I struggle now to become more proactive.  Just in little things, in big things, in life!

I had the opportunity to review a digital copy of Cleaning House by Kay Wills  Wyma.  The tag line "mom's 12 month experiment to rid her home of youth entitlement" grabbed my attention.  This fit what I was looking for - to be proactive!

She covers a wide variety of topics.  Clutter, kitchen, cleaning, grounding, etc.  I think she hit the nail on the head that we sometimes do TOO MUCH for our kids and are doing them a disservice.

The conjecture was funny, and the frustration humorous.  Since my kids are quite a few years away from being of "youth" age, I feel some of the jokes were lost on me.  I don't have the snarky teens in my home (and I hope that doesn't come - fingers crossed!!).  My kids actually LIKE to help out.  I feel my husband and I give our kids different ways to help around the house - because they are a part of our family.  Not because we will pay them.  This booked helped me see some other areas I can currently add to their skill set, and also extra help for when they get older.

I believe your kids aren't your servants, nor the other way around.  I feel responsible to teach my three boys how to live on their own, and also pull their own weight in a marriage.  I welcome any books that will help encourage my little boys grow up to be gentlemen.

On a separate note, the author Kay Wills Wyma has a blog "Because a mother of an adolescent teen should never walk (or drive) the road alone."  Check it out!


I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.I do not have to give a favorable review.

Unglued Devotional

I've heard from a few people that the book Unglued is something I should read. While it does sound interesting, I have not gotten around to it. When I had a chance to read and review the Unglued Devotional: 60 Days of Imperfect Progress from Lysa TerKuerst, I thought "why not?"

Oh my. I. Needed. This.

You know that time when you're alone and feel like a failure?  You're behind on your Bible study, spoke too harshly to your kids, was short with your husband?  Kitchen is a mess, dinner was frozen waffles, and kids lunches for the next day is peanut butter crackers with gogurts?  You then happen to see a post on Facebook of a sweet friend that is gushing about her kid's quoting the entire Bible while her 6 month old just potty trained and they are headed to Paris for two weeks while she will still be homeschooling her 6 kids via Skype?

I know, I know, it's not THAT bad.  At times it feels like it, though!

This devotional is REAL. Spoken from a real wife and mother, of real issues we deal with in our heads and hearts. However it's not soft. She pulls the truth out of you, tells the root issue, then challenges you to change its God's help. Here is an excerpt from Day 21 titled "I Need to be Honest with my Issues":

"It's easier to avoid these realities than to deal with them. I'd much rather tidy my closet than tidy my heart. I'd much rather run to the mall and get a new shirt than run to God and get a new attitude. I'd much rather dig into a brownie than dig into my heart. I'd much rather point the finger at other people's issues than take a peek at my own. Plus, it's a whole lot easier to tidy my closet, run to the store, eat a brownie, and look at other people's issues. A whole lot easier."

I'd highly recommend this devotional to all women!  Next book I purchase will be her book Unglued:  Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotion. 

Check out my friend's review of the same book.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Sierra Jensen Collection, Volume One

When I saw that my favorite author, Robin Jones Gunn, had some books up for review, I jumped at the change.  I was a huge Christy Miller series fan growing up, but I have never read the Sierra Jensen books.  I was excited to download the book to my Kindle and get to read it.

The Sierra Jensen Collection, Volume 1 represents the first 3 books in the 12 books series.Collection 1  follow Sierra's story as she grows through growing pains of a Christian based teenage girl.

This book is a good one for any girl that wants to learn more about God.  It deals with the things that teen girls deal with. The twist is she is approaching it from a different way, a girl trying to make Godly choices.  The way Sierra Jensen handles all the obstacles are not perfect, which is why this book is great for teenage girls to read!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

As One Devil to Another

I wanted a change of pace when I requested As One Devil to Another by Richard Platt and I totally found it!  This book is a throwback of sorts.  It has an older feel to it based on the language; which I'm sure is to pay homage to the original Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, I'm sure.

I enjoyed the quirky feeling of this book.  The way it took you back to another time made me smile.  However, I believe this will appeal to a smaller audience based on the content and old English feel.

What I liked best about this book is that it reminded me of a different time.  A time that I believe my grandfather would have read this book, tipped back his head, and laughed while smoking on his pipe.

If you are looking for a modern book, a fiction and feel good book - this just isn't the right genre for you.

If you want a quirky, humorous, quick witted book that will keep you thinking - check it out!!!

I received this book free to review from Tyndale Blog Network.  I was not required to give a favorable review.

WANT YOUR OWN COPY???  Comment below why you would like to read this book.  One winner will be drawn at random on 5/20/12 to receive a copy of this book FREE!

EDITED:

The giveaway is now closed.  Random.org number 6 won a copy of this book!  Missy, please message me with your mailing address and I will send you a certificate to get your OWN copy of this book!

Desiring God

The DVDs for Desiring God have 10 sessions that you can go through as a group study, Sunday school class, or just by yourself. John Piper authored the book, and has now expounded on the experience with the DVD sessions. I personally have not read the book before viewing the DVDs. The sessions were able to stand alone without having read the book as a precursor. There is a study guide that you can purchase separately, which I did not have. I believe it would enhance this study when doing it in a group setting.

Overall the experience was favorable. I would be interested to do this study again in a group setting with the study guide. I think having multiple perspectives would only enhance my learning and growing experience.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Stumbling Into Grace

I decided to try Stumbling into Grace, even though the cover at first glance looked like it would be for the daughter I do not have. I'm glad that I picked it up! Lisa Harper does a great job of being frank and not too "holy" for the normal woman to read. The subtitle "Confessions of a sometimes spiritually clumsy woman" was the deciding factor for me to pick up this book. I do want to better myself but without feeling that "mommy guilt" for not being a better person. Honesty and actionable suggestions are what I search for. Lisa uses life stories with Bible verses to inspire and encourage us as women of God. I really appreciated this book!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

iShine Bible

I loved getting this little pink and ruby red pocket sized Bible in the mail! The iShine Bible is made for tweens. There is also a grey and yellow version for boys.

The NLT is a version that I did not grow up with, but I think it's great for tweens to be able to understand the content a little better. It's not a philosopher's version but the point is to get tweens to READ the Bible :)

This Bible also offers QR codes for free music downloads and url links to podcasts and online discussions. I really appreciate the time and thought put into this Bible to make it relevant with the technology that is out there for everyone today.

A minor issue I have is actually not about the Bible. I personally do not like the pictures listed on the online retailers websites to sell this Bible. It seems too busy. As a consumer you might know understand that the white part on the front with the word "shine" and the teenager on the front is NOT on the Bible. It's a cardboard sleeve. The actual Bible is an imitation leather in fun colors of pink/red and grey/yellow.

Some of you know that I only have boys and are wondering why I got a pink and red Bible to review... I know a tween girl that will be getting my copy as a gift :)

I received this book free from Tyndale as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.