You've Got This (Because God's Got YOU!)

I recently had the opportunity to read You’ve Got This (Because God‘s Got You). I had never heard of KariAnne Wood nor her blog. I look forward to  checking out her blog as she references it for decorating tips in the book. I thoroughly enjoyed  You’ve Got This (Because God‘s Got You). This book is a short, small book of 52 devotionals to uplift and encourage you. And it does just that. These are basically short stories or potential blog posts that can be read in a quick amount of time. This book would make a great gift.

KariAnne is real and authentic in sharing while writing this book. She offers encouragement and hope and keeps it simple and honest. I enjoyed reading the stories of her single life, eventually married life and now parenting life. KariAnne shares many stories that are relatable to many, however, those who will relate most are mothers. 

I enjoyed reading You’ve Got This (Because God‘s Got You) and would recommend this small, encouraging quick read! I was given a free copy of You’ve Got This (Because God‘s Got You)for my honest review, which I was happy to do!

Great Pumpkin Dessert

The recipe is so good and so easy. The nice thing about this recipe (and many I have!) is that you can have most of the ingredients on hand. That way if you decide last minute to make it you can! Or if you need something last minute you have it!

1 can (15 oz.) solid pack pumpkin

1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 package yellow cake mix (any brand)

3/4 cup butter melted (I sometimes cut this back to 1/2 cup)

Mix pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar and pumpkin pie spice.  

Put in a greased 9X13 pan.  Sprinkle with cake mix. Drizzle butter over.  

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes (or more) until knife comes out clean.

Of course I do not have a picture of the finished result! I prefer to refrigerate it after it cools!

Enjoy!

Warrior Moms ~ Prayers for the Battlefield!

I was recently blessed with the opportunity to read Prayers for the Battlefield by Heidi St. John.  First, I was unfamiliar with her work or her ministry.  However, I was quickly delighted by her writing. In Prayers for the Battlefield, Heidi shares relevance wisdom and insight from her journey of raising her children and launching them.  This book is relevant both to mothers who have young children as well as mothers who have already launched their children from the home. It is a quick simple read that offers amazing insight based on scripture.

When I start reading a book I have to make a decision, will I underlined in the book or not? I'm happy to say that this book was definitely a book to underline. In it, Heidi St. John offers is invaluable insight to all mothers. This book is a great reference to have handy when needed!

Heidi shares, "Parenting is faith work at every stage..." She also shares practical wisdom on having VICTORY through Jesus in your parenting.  Heidi shares that, "God put the right arrow with the right warrior" (Meaning the right child with the right mama!)

I was given a free copy of Prayers for the Battlefield by Heidi St. John for my honest review. I was happy to provide this review and will be recommending this book to others!

Fruit Flies

So we have had a nasty time with fruit flies. It always seems to happen this time of year. For many years I have LOVED Terro! The product worked great and all went well. However, over the years they changed something, or it has become less effective!

Soooo, I decided to try something a little simpler! And something I've used in the past. And much cheaper. I took some cider vinegar and a little dish soap (any brand - Dawn, Joy, etc.)

I put that in a dish (no need to mix) and within an hour or so I had fruit flies!

I've since had to put them all over the house.  I (sadly) pitched the Terro one.)

I will add that "newer" vinegar is not as effective as vinegar you've had around for a little while, but both work. The nice thing about this is that after a day or so you can dispose of the fruit flies and vinegar and then add new vinegar and dish soap! They do tend to last for about two days and then you need to change out the vinegar/dish soap.  

Case Keemun ~ Playing For More!

Playing For More shares the journey Case Keemun as he travels from a young man to the star football player he is now! And let me tell you what ~ his journey hasn’t always been easy. 

When looking at an NFL star, you’d think that things always went their way, especially on the football field. Case shares his ups and downs throughout life and his journey to where he is now. 

Disclaimer: I am a football mom. I do not understand the game as well as many and do not follow the NFL like some. However I did thoroughly enjoy Case’s book! What a gift to readers, both football fans and non football fans. As well as both young and old. 

I must also mention the huge influence Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) has had on Case and his family. What a delight to read about the impact of FCA. 

I was very encouraged reading Playing For More and would recommend. I was given a free copy of Playing For More for my honest review which I have given! 

It's All Under Control ~ Or Is It? Book Review!

Wow! It’s All Under Control by Jennifer Dukes Lee is a gift. For anyone who has ever struggled with control - or not even struggled with control, but just failed to give God control, you will want to read this book. Honestly, I thought Jennifer might have looked directly at me and written this book about me. It was a breath of fresh air as Jennifer shared that’s its ok to be a strong leader and work hard to care for those around us!  It’s ok to do what God has called you to do! However, God has also called for balance. I am confident this book will resonate with many women today. 

Perhaps the most enlightening part is when Jennifer shares that you do want to care for others. You do want to help them. And your motives are genuine. They flow from love. However, sometimes that love can turn into control.  Jennifer shares, “there’s a fine line between unhealthy control and healthy control and that line is drawn with the pen of good intentions.”  Amen sister!  

Jennifer also shares that “When we begin to follow Jesus, we relinquish that control. But we constantly try to steal it back because we think we’ll be safer if we ate in control”. Oh momma, how many many times have you felt this way????

This definitely was a pen book. What do I mean by that?  Well once I start a book I need to decide if I am going to write in it or not. After the first chapter, I knew I needed to have a pen handy. At all times. It was definitely a book to underline!  

Jennifer takes you on a journey of looking at your motives, your choices, your heart, and your faith. She also offers resources both in the book and online. (At the time of this review they were not yet available online. However I can’t wait until they are). A Bible study is also available to accompany this study!  It’s going on my to do list!  Wait, Jennifer shares how to handle that to do list as well! How to give it to Jesus! Daily. 

I could share many quotes from It's All Under Control. However, in order to keep this review manageable, I will spare the reader. Instead I’ll encourage you to check out Jennifer’s whit, humor, personal stories, practical advice and insight and read It's All Under Control for yourself. 

I am thankful for the opportunity to read It’s All Under Control. I was given a free copy for my honest review. 

Visit Jennifer Dukes Lee here

Delivery!

Around Christmas time I decided to start leaving water bottles and snacks for our delivery people.  FedEx, UPS, the mail carrier, the dry cleaners, etc.  I just try to keep snacks supplied in the bucket. Over winter this was just fine. Water bottles would even freeze. 

Then summer came! I wanted to keep it up but had no clue how. Then I decided to freeze a few water bottles. Anytime I know ~ or think I know ~ a package is coming I put out a frozen water bottle.  

Imagine my surprise today when I got this note.  

This really touched me because I know that delivery people are under a tight schedule. They must keep moving and don't have excess time to write notes. However, this driver took the time to write a note!

I realize this may not work for everyone. We have a great space for leaving packages.  I appreciate it when the delivery people take the time to do their job well.  I would encourage you to look for ways to bless those around you!

The Struggle IS Real ~ Book Review

The struggle is real! We often hear that hash tag today and can easily use that phrase to describe significant and insignificant life circumstances. In the book The Struggle Is Real,  Nicole Unice looks at the many struggles Christians face today. She uses her background in counseling to address those struggles. She related our story - including the story of our perception versus the story that actually happened and how we can rewrite that story. Unice uses many examples from her years of ministry and counseling to draw on her wisdom for The Struggle Is Real. She shares how to have freedom in Christ and get into a freedom cycle. 

Honestly, this book was not what I expected. I was hoping for more personal stories from the author but instead it was harder to follow than I had hoped. The author does share that she does give more examples and expands on her book in the Bible study that accompanies the book. For me, the struggle was real to hang in there and finish the book! I’m not sure if it’s Unice’s counseling background that lost me or if I just was hoping for more personalized stories. It would be interesting to see if the Bible study is more relatable. I was given a free copy of The Struggle Is Real for my honest review. 

College Packing List

Well, last year I did it! I sent my baby off to college. I had searched and searched for a college packingg list. I compiled and compiled. Here's what worked for us! Note: I didn't take many cleaning supplies! His dorm was not clean when we took him to college! So that got added at the end! 😀

College Packing List:

2 sets twin XL sheets

1 twin XL mattress pad

mattress topper

laundry bag or basket

drying rack

trash can

bags for trash can

fans

computer

surge protector

desk lamp

parking pass

Lysol or Clorox wipes

Laundry detergent 

Oxyclean

Any food you want

Bowls/plates

Waterbottle

Water filter pitcher

Safe

Key for safe 

Command hooks

Shower caddy

Clip on light for your bed

Hangers

Books

School supplies

Pens

Pencils

Paper

Backpack

Insurance card

Clothing

Retainer

Toothpaste

Toothbrush

Body wash

Shampoo

Driver’s license

Pillows

Blankets

Shower shoes

Cell phone

Storage for under your bed

Extension cord

Headphones

Charger cord for phone

Any medicine you need

Post it notes

Stapler

Wallet

Batteries

Umbrella

Towels (3)

Washcloth (3)

Rug for at your bed

Rubber bands

Paper towels 

Sunscreen

Ziploc bags

Silverware

Dish soap

Refrigerator magnets

Stain spray

Scissors

Tape

White out

Noteooks

Notebook paper

Tape measure (to see if something will fit in a space!)

Zip ties

Extension cord

Command poster strips to hang up white board, etc.

Lanyard/keychain

Small organizer bins (for desk drawers)

Bandaids

Dustpan & brush

(optional broom or vac)

Cleaning supplies (just in case the dorm room is not clean!)

Start With Praise...Book Review

I had the unique opportunity to preview the brand new book Start with Praise by Sally Burke and Cyndie Claypool De Neve.  What a joy it was to read Start With Praise.

However, you must know the book is not just about praise as I thought it was going to be! This book is about the four steps of prayer based on the Lord’s Prayer!

Throughout this book, Sally and Cyndie take you on a forty day journey of learning how to pray as Jesus prayed!  Start With Praiseis filled with stories and practical examples using these four steps.  

The first ten days focus on having a heart of praise when you pray. The next ten days are focused on confession and then a ten day focus of Thanksgiving. The book concludes with ten days concentrating on intercession. Often, when we pray, we tend to focus all our time on intercession! Using this book as a tool will help you develop your prayer life into a time of not just asking God for your needs but also praising who He is, confessing to Him and thanking Him.

Some may recognize Sally Burke from her role at Moms In Prayer International. Sally draws on her experience at Moms In Prayer to help readers understand and appreciate the power of prayer.

Start With Praiseis an excellent resource on prayer. I was given a free copy of Start With Praisefor my honest review, but would have purchased it anyway as it is an great book!