Book review: I Am Brave

Disclaimer: I received a book to review. All opinions are my own.

My children have arrived at the ages where outside influences are one of my concerns, especially with Koda starting public school. I can't always be aware of who she is around and who is influencing her. I have recently been shocked at the number of kids their ages that do not believe in God. So, how do you battle this? You give your children the tools to make decisions and to feel secure in their faith. That is why I was so excited about You Are Brave. Even for Tbomb, this devotional is a wonderful tool for them. I pray that this will be Koda's friend as she ages and she understands what it is to be a "Brave Girl."

It's a tough time to be a tween. Body image struggles, peer pressure, social media, and confusion about what truth is and why it matters can make growing up harder than ever. How do you stand firm in what you believe? What does it mean to be brave in your faith? What does it look like to love others? Finding answers to the most challenging questions can help tween girls thrive as they grow into brave young women of God.

I Am Brave invites girls ages 8–12 to join the Brave Girls—Hope, Glory, Faith, Gracie, and Honor—as they grow closer to God every day. The latest book in the popular Brave Girls series, I Am Brave includes journaling prompts, devotions, and lots of great questions to help girls learn more about who God is and who they are.

The Brave Girls are ordinary girls who are stronger and more courageous because of God's love and guidance. I Am Brave will help your own young reader speak up for truth, stand up for faith and live out the real meaning of godly bravery.

Purchase on Amazon

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Getting Ready for Winter

School has started, the kids birthdays are organized, the house is decorated for Halloween/ Autumn. What's next? Well, before we start worrying about Christmas decor and getting organized for the holidays, we like to get all ready for winter. This ensures that we are good to go, especially if we get the rare snow before Christmas (usually our snow is in February, but a couple of years ago, we had snow around Thanksgiving). This means getting the house, car, yard, pets, work gear, and kids ready for winter. It can be quite the task, but this year, Cozy Winters is going to make life so much easier. I can find all the handy winter things I need in one place.

First, on the list, this year is to get Ice Cleats for the whole family. I never worried about it before, but since my husband does construction and they start early, they will be handy for him to have, plus a lot of the time he has to handle things around the property, no matter the weather. Also, this year, I will be walking snapper to the bus at 6 am, so the two of us will definitely benefit. Why leave Tbomb out?

Because Cozy Winters will be my one-stop-shop, I'll also be able to get a couple of heated dog beds, heated car seats, cozy socks, and everything else I'll need to get the house ready for winter. I might actually enjoy the snow this year (well, sitting inside with a cup of coffee watching the kids throw snow balls at daddy).

Book Review: BibleForce Devotional

Disclaimer: I received a book to review. All opinions are my own.

A while back, I had the honor of reviewing the BibleForce Bible with stories of the heroes from the Bible. My son loved it and read it every night. When the opportunity arose to review the BibleForce Devotional, I knew that I had to participate and I am so glad I did.

Now, he is reading the BibleForce Devotional every night and I love seeing his joy at learning and reading about the Bible heroes and learning how to apply what he learns and reads to his own life.

Book Description:

BibleForce Devotional includes 100 devotions based on the heroes of the Bible with the popular comic-style action art, facts about each hero, Scriptures, and action items that help kids connect God's Word to their lives today. As kids read about the heroes of the Bible, they'll see ways they can be heroes for God as well.

BibleForce Devotional offers a fresh, bright graphic-novel style that will interest boys and girls alike and will be the perfect way to engage young readers who want an active, exciting devotional. It's a great book to read together and is simple enough for young readers to read on their own. Kids won't be able to put down this book! Jump into the story of God’s Word, and become an amazing hero for God today with BibleForce Devotional!

I have often heard Tbomb reading to Snapper, explaining the stories and lessons to her, and even explaining why they are heroes, just like Spiderman. I am witnessing him growing in his relationship with God and his family each and every day. Every child should have their own devotional and this one is perfect for the little boy in your life. Pick up your life-saving copy of fun!

Guess What?! You can win your own copy too here or by clicking the image below.

The First Five Signs I Taught My Kids

I've always loved learning sign language. I had the awesome opportunity in the fifth grade to take a class, so it started a true love. In fact, if I ever go back and finish college, I would love to minor in American Sign Language and tutor special needs children and parents that are homeschooling.

When Tbomb was a baby, I taught him a handful of signs when he first started trying to talk. I taught more, food, drink, and love. With snapper, things were a little different. I didn't teach her in the beginning like I had intended to. I had one I was homeschooling and I had my plate full. I wish I had done it anyway.

Well, when she still wasn't making any noises at 2, we were getting concerned. We realized then how quiet of a baby she really was. While we were doing testing and trying to figure out what was going on with her, I started teaching her sign language. I felt like this would give her a way of communicating and it really did help not only ease her frustration and mine, but I feel like it allowed us to bond in a unique way.

When we decided to teach her, I put a lot of thought into which ones to teach her first. They needed to be simple, be useful, and be fun. She picked them up easily and even started teaching family members so they could communicate with her. It felt good.

Here are the signs we settled with for her first five.

Each word is linked to a video showing the proper way to sign it.

1. EAT

2. DRINK

3. MORE

4. PLEASE

5. GIRAFFE (Giraffes are her favorite animal and have been since she was about 3 months old so we thought it would be fun if she learned the sign for something she loved!)

She picked up sign language really easily and that is actually why she was not diagnosed with Autism by her developmental pediatrician. She wanted to communicate and showed that the ability was there- just not yet for speaking.

Here are some free resources to help teach your children to sign.

• Handspeak (dictionary)
• LifePrint (free courses)
• Sign Language 101 (learn sign language online for free)
• ASL App

Free Printable: Monthly Calendar

I have some pretty calendar and planner printables to share over the next few months. I hope you enjoy!

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Covenant Kids Review & Win A Copy!

Disclaimer: I received a book to review. All opinions are my own.

We started our homeschool back yesterday. One thing that always excites me about a new school year is the Bible Study books I pick out. Tbomb loves learning about the Bible so much that we usually go through several different ones throughout the year, so I'm excited to start this series with him.

Tbomb is loving this series, and so am I. It is written like a comic book, really engaging the children. Also, because it is about kids, it really draws them in and allows them to associate better with the story.

Tbomb and I have often talked about how lucky we are to live in America, where we are free to learn about and worship God. I have explained that in some places, they do not have that freedom. We have also discussed what we would do if we were not allowed to learn about and worship God. We've discussed how hard it would be and what God would want from us. He has always insisted that no one could stop him and I think that is one thing that is going to make these books a real winner in our home.

Covenant Kids: Book 1 The Law, by Andrew Youngblood brings up some touchy subjects, but subjects that Christians face and I believe this book will be essential to helping young Christians not only grow in their belief but be able to stand strong in it. They will realize that no matter what, God is with us and walks beside us.

Naomi lives in a place where it has recently become illegal to study or even talk about the faith outside of church on Sunday. But one law can't stop Naomi. She forms a study group with three other teenagers to learn more about the Bible. As they learn the stories of the Old Testament, they realize God's plan to bring everyone into a loving relationship with him through his Covenant. But not everyone likes this "Good News", and Naomi, Pavel, José, and Rose soon find themselves in the middle of a dangerous plot to enforce the new law against religion at any cost.

Perfect for young readers ages seven to thirteen, Covenant Kids--Book One: The Law is both an adventure-filled graphic novel and a thoughtful guide through the Bible's main stories. The first in a series of twelve, this book covers the biblical stories from Creation through Abraham. Author Andrew Youngblood has a degree in theology and experience both teaching Scripture and running schools. Designed to show how exciting and beautiful the Old Testament is, Covenant Kids reveals what the Bible is really about--God's great love for each of us. (from Amazon)

Guess what?! You can win a copy for your family. Just click here or on the image below!