Book Review: Pancakes for Breakfast!

We received this book (among many others) in a big box of books which my grandmother (a retired school teacher) passed down to us. Having grown up with Tomie DePaola books, I  decided to keep this one mostly for sentimental reasons... but considering the more simplistic illustrations, and lack of written dialogue.... I never expected KB to take to this book - but, she LOVES it!

Movie Review: Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief

Don't know if it's due to my interest in Greek culture (b/c of my FIL's heritage)... but  for whatever reason, I  really enjoyed this movie!

About a struggling high school boy - set in present time - who suddenly learns he is a demigod. A descendant one of not just any god, but one gods of Mount Olympus - Poseidon. After a brief visit to Camp half-blood - a camp for training demigods.... Percy, along with fellow demi-god, warrior Annabeth (daughter of the goddess, Athena) and his childhood friend, Grover (who he discovers is actually a brave Satyr, and his protector), set out on an adventure to redeem him name (he is accused of stealing Zeus' lightening bolt), and rescue his mother from Hades.

Book review: Momma, Will You?

Kb received this book back in October, as part of the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program, through our library.  Some of the books we've received have been fabulous... others, eh, ok... with one or two getting passed right along.  But this one... it's definitely a WINNER (in so many ways)!! After reading it at least twice this afternoon, I can't help but sing it's praises. 

Movie Review: Food, Inc.

Review: Charlies Soap

So I will admit, I was slightly skeptical at first. - Ok fine, I was very skeptical. I remember at the beginning of my cloth-diapering journey, having people tell me how wonderful it was -- *the best* thing, ever. But, in my mind... it was soap. What could be so "special" about it? ~How in the world could just one simple tablespoon wash a whole load of clothes? ~ Esp if it has no smell? Eww. ~ AND, why in the world would I want spend "extra" for it when the store stuff is just fine? (shows how much I really knew! lol). Now, I look back and giggle at myself - what a long way we've come on this journey, indeed.

Of course it didn't help matters, that my sister had to go off, get married, have a baby, and also go crunchy... therefore fueling my already "crazy" desire to want to go natural. - LoL!

One day she called me up all excited. - After reading so many great reviews, she had finally bit the bullet, bought a case (several bags) of Charlies Soap. ~ And turns out... she LOVED it! Still kinda skeptical, she offered to send me some, to try. Hmm, a free sample? Sure, why not! After several loads in, I was sold. My diapers have never looked and smelled so clean.... (yeah, even with no added scents, the laundry acttally didn't stink after all! hee, hee)... my clothes didn't seem any worse for the wear (duh, lol)... and [best of all], there were no yucky chemicals to worry about! (yes, I've learned a bit since those beginning days...) It was awesome!

Unfortunately, with potty-training a toddler, that "sample" my sister sent me (albeit generous) went all too quickly! Leaving me - in desperation/determination not to have to switch back to the old (now deemed:"yucky") stuff - scrambling to find a source, before I was totally out. Thankfully, we have an awesome community around us, and I was able to buy an 80-load bag off another mama... which bought me plenty of time to search out the best price, and get ours ordered. Turns out, at approx 15¢/load (closer to 10¢, when bought by the 5-gal).... it's not only cheaper than traditional detergents, but it also lasts forever! ~ After over a month of use (including nine house-guests, WITH an additional fluffy-butt)... and we are still only three-fifths of the way through that afore mentioned bag!!

Charlies Soap site
(though I have found it's not the most cost effective, to buy directly from them)

Movie Review: UP

Tonight we went and saw Pixar's newest movie, "UP" in 3D for our date night.

Synopsis: A young Carl Fredrickson meets a young adventure spirited girl named Ellie. They both dream of going to a Lost Land in South America. 50+ years later, Ellie has died. By tying thousands of balloon to his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream and promise to Elle - to go to Paradise Falls. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn't alone on his journey. Russel, an 8 year old Wilderness Explorer, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip. Together, they embark in an adventure, where they encounter talking dogs, an evil villain and a rare bird named Kevin.

TFY: Book review

I have been reading an excellent book called: "Becoming the Woman of His Dreams" by Sharon Jaynes..... If you have never read it, I highly recommend it!!! 
      The first part section is about prayer. I talks about how we are created as prayer warriors or intercessors for our husbands, and how prayer should not be our last resort, but first line of defence [and only hope]! Then it talks about praying for ourselves to become the woman of our man's dreams.... and how our goal for praying for our husbands should not be to get them to do what we want, but for them to do what God wants.

        But the part that really spoke to my heart in a deep way, was the Wife's Prayer paraphrased from I Corinthians 13.  As I read it, I felt the Lord prompt me to read it to my hubby... and as I did, I actually started to cry..... Was it because I don't love my husband?  No! (I absolutely love him to death!!) -- It just made me realize [even more], just how imperfect I am, and how much more I could be doing, to show my love to him! 

I Corinthians 13 - A prayer for a Wife... If I teach Bible study classes, volunteer for women's ministry
and sing in the choir, but do not love my husband, I am only as
a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have a college
degree, high-paying job, and successful career, but do not love
my husband, I am emotionally and spiritually bankrupt. If I
have faith so I can remove mountains , am quick to pray for
those in need, and even have half the bible memorized, but do
not love my husband, I am disobedient and do not please God.
If I keep a spotless house, maintain a well-manicured lawn,
and prepare nutritionally balanced meals, but do not love my
husband, it is all for naught. Hired hands can do as much.

Lord, help me to be patient. Help me to be kind. I pray that I
will not envy others who have seemingly happier marriages &
husbands who are more helpful around the house or thoughtful
or romantic. I pray that I will never try to lift myself up by put-
ting my husband down. Lord, I pray that I will not be a proud
women who refuses to listen to her husband, who always has
to have the last word, who always thinks her way is best. I
pray  that I will not be rude to my husband with curt com-
ments, disregard his needs, or be ungrateful for all he does
and is, but treat him with respect and honor that the king of
the castle deserves.

I pray that I will not be self-serving, always thinking about
what is best for me, but thinking of what would be best for
my husband. I pray that I will not be angered easily, not hold
a grudge, keep a record of wrongs, not plan ways to retaliate,
and not use my tongue as a weapon to cause pain. I pray that
I will not rejoice and say "I told you so" when things don't
work out they way my husband hoped.

Love, above all, I pray the my husband will see me as his chief
cheerleader who desires to rejoice with him in his victories,
both big and small. That he will see me as the one who longs to
protect our marriage and our love. Help me create a warm and
loving environment in which he feels safe, wanted, and revered.
I pray that you will give me endurance when things get tough.
Help the words "divorce" to never enter my mind or cross my
lips as an option. Lord, I know that love never fails and that You
never fail. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and give me the endur-
ance to stand up under trails and love my husband as You
would have me love him -- till death us do part,





















In Jesus' name, amen

        God bless all you wives out there, who also strive to be the woman of thier man's dreams!

      ~Tiph