God-Confident Kids by Cyndie Claypool de Neve

I was very excited to be able to read God-Confident Kids by Cyndie Claypool de Neve. This is actually the first book I read by her as the main author. I've read two she co--authored that you can see here and here.  I loved this book because it's practical and real!  Cyndie offers advice, wisdom and insight to moms of children ages toddler to young adult!

In God-Confident Kids  Cyndie talks about faith vs. fear, releasing your kids (!), fostering your children's strengths, teaching your children to pray (in a very practical way) and scripture prayers for your child. Cyndie reminds us that we are not our child's Holy Spirit!  She also gives some good insight into praying for your child's future spouse and specific guidance for all ages and stages. Cyndie draws on her experience as a marriage and family therapist to offer her insight and expertise.
I particularly liked the specific verses to combat fear on page 159.

In God-Confident Kids  Cyndie offers treasure of resources to help your child grow in their confidence in Christ and confidence in life. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review. I was happy to do that and recommend God-Confident Kids!

Strong Brave Loved by Holley Gerth

Strong Brave Loved: Empowering Reminders of Who You Really Are by Holly Gerth is an excellent follow-up to her book Fierce Hearted.  (Reading Fierce Hearted is not necessary to understand this book.) This book features sixty practical devotions that will make you think, reflect, and grow. 

One thing that I really enjoyed about this book is that it has a daily passage with a time for reflection. This book would be great to do each day. The book is attractive and would make a marvelous gift. Think Christmas time!  Holly writes a book that is for women of all ages and all walks of life. She draws on real life examples in Strong Brave Loved. I am all about practical and really enjoyed that this book offers encouragement.  

I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review. I am happy to do just that and think this book is well worth the purchase!!!

Parent Hacks for Schoolwork

Not sure if my educator friends will appreciate this or not, however as a parent who has always been involved in helping my children I have discovered some great parent hacks for helping with schoolwork.

First things first. Always check with your child’s teacher and potential resources they may have. Sometimes a teacher will supply great resources such as a practice test, online quiz etc. Check their resources first. 

Parent hack #1: Google online to see if you can find materials. One time my student had to do a map. I found the exact map they were to replicate in a blank form. It was so easy to print it off and allow them to name the countries with the exact same map. 

Parent Hack #2. If you need to, order the textbook online. Many textbooks are available for cheap from used textbooks sites or simply used book sites. I had purchased a math book for algebra. I think four of my children have used it!  This was also a great way to prevent them from lugging their textbook home every day. We can argue the value of bringing your textbook home but for my children it seemed to be one added extra item to their already heavy backpack. Keep in mind ~ the older a textbook, the less expensive it will be. If you are not sure which textbook to purchase find the ISBN number! (Take a picture at Back to School night of the ISBN number!) An older edition textbook or edition from another state usually isn’t much different. Another suggestion is asking the school if you can sign out a textbook to keep at home for a year! 

Take note that sometimes textbooks are quickly outdated so you may not get as much use of this depending on the subject. Ask you school or stay informed of potential textbook changes 

Parent Hack #3. Purchase the teacher manual. Sometimes, as a parent, it simply helps to see the answers to know how to explain it to your child. Please note that I am not encouraging you to give your child the answers or do the work for them. That should be assumed.

Resources for printable worksheets:

This is one I found recently: https://www.worksheetworks.com

This one has limited free ones: https://www.superteacherworksheets.com

To make up math worksheets (especially on math facts): https://www.mathfactcafe.com/worksheet/buildit/

That map worksheet I referenced! https://geography.byu.edu/Pages/maps

Podcasts! What Are You Listening To??????

I have had the opproutnity to listen to some great podcasts lately! Here’s what I’m listing to! {In no particular order}

My standby! I haven't missed one yet! This is a great listen for parents and all ministry leaders! Powerful insight! Moms In Prayer


A faithful standby. I try to catch these when I can! Focus on the Family

Another faithful standby. I don't listen to this as much but browse when I'm able. Family Life Today

This just cracks me up. I did enjoy Jamie Ivey's book. The Happy Hour

This is a great one about differences of women and how two women can view the world so differently. I appreciate this one. The Martha and Mary Show

Someone shared this one with me. I love it! A great resource on technology! Brave Parenting

This one features three women who share they perspectives. I listen to this one when I can. Mom to Mom

This is a great resource if you have teen!  Biblical insight as well! Youth Culture Matters

Just found this after reading her book! Another practical one! Simply Joyful

She Prays by Debbie Lindell

She Prays by Debbie Lindell is a devotional book focused on prayer and a "31-Day Journey to Confident Conversations with God".   Debbie breaks it into to four parts: she prays with understanding, she prays with knowledge, she prays with trust and she prays with power.  Each short devotional offers insight into each topic (broken down even further) and then a space for reflection or action.

I have read many books on prayer, and while I did enjoy this devotional, I found that it could have been just a little more focused. Debbie does share great insights from her many years of ministry and offers a great devotional.  This can be an encouragement to many women who are looking for some daily wisdom. I did appreciate the space for reflection and taking action. (I'm all about practical.)

I was given a free copy of She Prays from the publisher for my honest review, which I was happy to do.  

Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Freeby Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth is a book that every woman needs to read. Even if you think you don’t!

In Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free, Nancy goes through 45 lies that Satan tells women. Nancy also explains the truth about each lie and exposes each one. She gives you practical advice and scripture to combat each lie. Practical advice, wisdom from those who have “been there”and so much more.

Honestly I thought I didn’t need this book but after reading it I think every woman needs to read it. We also started doing it at a small group and it has been excellent. I highly recommend Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free.  This is a classic that has been updated that women need to read and share. 

This book is a treasure. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review. I am happy to do just that and highly recommend this book.

A Distance Too Grand by Regina Scott

A Distance Too Grand is an adventure. This book, written by Regina Scott, will take you back into time and far away to the Grand Canyon in 1871. Honestly, I could not put it down and can’t wait for the next book. Regina Scott is obviously a talented writer who can captivate the reader! 

Meg Pero is a talented photographer, except she is female in a time when that could be a disadvantage. Women were not to be off on adventures taking photographs. However, she ends up on an expedition with her former beau from West Point, Captain Ben Coleridge.  Under Ben’s command, Meg and a team are off to explore the Grand Canyon. Will they find Ben’s missing father? Will Meg have the opportunity to shoot those beautiful photographs? What about their time when Ben was a West Point?

I loved this book and was slightly obsessed with finishing it. It is a great beach, wintertime, weekend, etc. read! I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review. I was thrilled to do just that!

M.O.M. {Master Organizer of Mayhem}

M. O. M. {Master Organizer of Mayhem} by Kristi Clover is a must read for moms!!!!  I have read many books about organization and reducing clutter. So far this is my favorite one! I love the way Kristi gives you the “permission” to do it your way and glean ideas from others. She also provides many ideas.

Kristi offers practical advice and forgiveness when you can’t follow a plan! I love the way that Kristi breaks it down to simple steps. The first part of the book is the foundation, ten simple rules that will change your home life. These are practical ideas for moving forward to reduce clutter. Phase 2 is the framework systems that will make your home more efficient. And phase 3 is the finishing touches along with bringing it all together to create a home you love. I can’t say enough about how much I appreciated the hints and tips in this book.

I wish I would have had this book years ago but I’m thankful for it now. I think I would have implemented her laundry system!  This book is for moms of infants all the way through moms of teens. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review which I am very happy to do. I appreciated this book.

Christmas In Winter Hill

I had a chance to read my first book by Melody Carlson, called Christmas In Winter Hill. This is a charming story of Krista and her daughter Emily moving to the small town of Winter Hill. But what is up with Christmasville? Does that town sponsor it? Will Krista, who is not a fan of Christmas, be responsible to help out due to her new position working for the city?

Christmas In Winter Hill is a sweet, Hallmark like Christmas story. I would liken this to a Hallmark movie in book form. If you are looking for an enjoyable story to snuggle up and ready, Christmas in Winter Hill is an excellent choice.  It is a quick read and beautiful story.

I was given a free copy of Christmas In Winter Hill for my honest review. I was happy to read it and do just that!

Forged Through the Fire

Forged Through the Fire is the amazing journey of Dr. Mark McDonough’s life experiences. As a young child, Mark suffered from Gullain-Barre syndrome. Then, on one fateful day in 1976, when he was 17 and at home with his brothers and mother, their house caught on fire. Mark struggled to rescue each of his family members. Things did not turn out as he had hoped, and Mark was burned all over parts of his body. 

In Forged Through the Fire, Mark shares, in a very personal way, his journey, tragedies and triumphs as he recovers from the illness as a young child, losing family members in a fire, the challenges of being a burn victim, eventually the challenges of becoming a doctor, losing a brother to suicide, overcoming alcohol addiction, and finally the challenges of losing a close friend who was performing at a concert in Florida. 

Mark shares a real story with many ups and downs. To the reader who has a weak stomach: you might want to be a little careful with the graphic details of the healing after skin graphs. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought Mark did a great job sharing his story. This is a testimony to strength and courage and encouragement. It was enthralling. I was given a free copy by the publisher from my honest review which I am happy to do.

Jesus In Me by Anne Graham Lotz

I throughly enjoyed Jesus In Me by Anne Graham Lotz. Anne shares many personal stories and offers great insight in the book about the Holy Spirit. Anne takes the time to look at the Biblical aspects of the Holy Spirit and offers some perspectives that are not new, but may not be often thought of. 

I really appreciated Anne’s honesty and vulnerability as she shared many personal stories in Jesus In Me. Anne offers the stories of her journey through widowhood as well as her cancer journey. This book challenged me to think (which I appreciate) and was a great encouragement!!!

I highly recommend Jesus In Me by Anne Graham Lotz. I will be sharing this book with others as it is an excellent resource. I was given a free copy of Jesus In Me by the publisher for my honest review, which I was happy to do!