We began enjoying the Back To The Bible radio broadcast of the Twelve Voices of Christmas this week. Each of the 12 key character from the Bible stories relating to Christ’s birth give their perspective in a dramatic presentation that will bring to life the amazing events surrounding the birth of our Savior! It has been so enjoyable and meaningful that we are  definitely going to add it to our Christmas traditions for years to come. There are also loads of wonderful Christmas sermons on this site, so type in Christmas and I am sure you will find yourself  blessed and encouraged by them!

I also found this wonderful Christmas program from Teri Maxwell that you can do using your nativity. I am so excited to do this with my family on Christmas Eve!

One thing I have learned about making Christmas meaningful and keeping traditions this year is that I have to keep things simple and manageable. Needless to say, I started out strong with our Jesse tree, thinking I could “find the time” to finish up the rest of the ornaments.  Our Jesse Tree sits, ahem, half done and the ornaments have gone in my sewing box for next year, when perhaps I will truly learn not to be an overachiever at one of the busiest times of the year.

How are your family traditions going this year? Have you added or taken away any? And please tell me I am not the only mom who starts out with grand plans only to shelve them a few weeks later in favor of sanity?

Oh and if you are seeking to make your holidays memorable, you will enjoy this free ebook titled Family Memories and if you’re feeling a little stressed, you may enjoy these resources too!

We are always seeking ways in our family to keep “Christ” in Christmas, and Advent devotions are a wonderful way to do that.

But I didn’t know where to start with this delightful method, and while we read through the gospel stories each year, I felt that we needed more direction in telling the wonderful story of Christ’s coming. So I was more than excited when Kimberly Eddy, owner of JoyfulMomma offered me a chance to review her newly revised ebook: Advent: Preparing for the Coming Of The Lord.

What can I say except that I love it!?

The graphics are kid friendly and beautiful, and the devotions are just the right length and depth for our  family. Not only that but there are pages included that will help me incorporate the devotions into our school day which is so helpful in really solidifying the concepts.  It is simple and practical and you can use it right away!

Here is what newly-revised 122 page ebook contains:

• Instructions for incorporating Advent celebrations into your own family, including how to create your own Advent Calendar and Advent Wreath.
• Full Color Illustrations for each day of Advent Matching Coloring pages, with dashed-line copywork for the day’s memory verse, which can double as Penmanship practice.
• Printable Memory Verse cards Printable, illustrated Advent Calendar cards
• An overview of the Messianic Prophecies fulfilled by Jesus, for further study
• A four week long daily family devotional with an Evangelistic emphasis

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to review this, and the ebook is already on sale for$6.50.  Grab your copy here and be on your way to having a truly meaningful holiday season!

I have a lot of books set aside to read this month.

Ooh I can’t wait to get through them all! I’ll review them at the end of the month, the good, the bad and the ugly

And I absolutely cannot wait to read this as soon as it’s released:

I Will Carry You: The Sacred Dance of Grief and Joy

Years ago when I used to watch Oprah faithfully everyday at 4:00 (I know, shame on me, but I didn’t know any better and she was actually good back then, not into all that weird blasphemous religious stuff), she had on this show about germs.

I clearly remember being entirely grossed out when she talked about bed sheets. Apparently every few days or so your skin has shed so much that little bed bugs can get lots to eat. YUCK! They recommended changing your sheets twice a week, to be safe.

Now I will admit, I love a crisp, clean bed but twice a week is a little, um, impractical for me. I love my sheets when they are freshly washed and taut on the bed (that’s the word, right?) and I begin not to like it when after a few days they are wrinkly and loose. Maybe I just have cheap sheets, but I sure wish that they would keep that wrinkle free crispness longer! I could actually go for putting fresh sheets on my bed everyday. If I had a maid. (Which I do not!) So I stick with my once a week sheet washing routine.

I have been reading MOTH (Managers of Their Homes, as part of my getting aback on track plan. This book is highly recommended if you want to develop an amazing schedule), Terri mentions how cumbersome it is to strip beds every week and do all that laundry and bed making. Come to think of it, it is a lot of work. She does her sheets every two weeks.

Gosh, that does sound kind of nice. Imagine how free I would be if I only did beds every two weeks? Imagine all that I could get done with all that free time…then my little mind wanders back to that Oprah show years ago. And the skin cells, and little mites and bugs and all that. And thoughts of how wrinkly my bed would be in two weeks when it already drives me nuts after one.

So I am putting out a fleece. What works for you as far stripping your beds, putting on new sheets and all that? Do you do it every week, every other week, once a month, once a year (kidding, kidding. I hope)? I don’t want any unnecessary phobias taking up my time here. I am all for greater efficiency.

And while we are at it, how many sets do you have? I have one that is my favorite. I got it at the Christmas Tree Shop and they are hotel quality 500 thread count. I love them so much that I have mended them twice. I have a few other sets, but I love my fancy sheets that I now have after years of having cheap sheets, so I strip my bed, wash my sheets and put them right back on again.

I can’t wait to have your input, because I am really in a dilemma here

Remember a few weeks ago I shared the Future Christian Homemakers of America owner Laurie Latour was offering her home economics course as a free download on her site? We have been thoroughly enjoying those lessons in our home!

Shortly after Laurie contacted me about reviewing this lovely little book, Classic Prayers for Children.  From the photo, I knew it was a high quality book and I was so excited to have the opportunity to review it.  I was even more impressed when I got to hold it in my hand!

Classic prayers for children was an old out of print book that Laurie found while cleaning out her fathers home after his death. The little book belonged to her Aunt who died at the young age of three and had been tucked away since 1927. Laurie says about finding this treasure:

I knew I held a jewel, a treasured possession preserved first by my grandmother who had lost her only daughter, and then kept by my father for decades until I found it. This book that had so blessed me and my family would, I know, bless many others. It deserved more than to be a forgotten, out-of-print book.

My husband and I prayed and decided to reprint the book, making it available to a whole new generation. We added a journal section for children and parents to write in their own prayers and record their spiritual journey, to leave a spiritual legacy for your own family and generations yet to come. We pray it will bless your family as it has mine.

You can read the entire story here.

This cloth bound, gold gilded book is certainly a blessing! Laurie and her husband have done a great service reprinting such a wonderful book. The artwork is  breathtaking, and the prayers touching and are so beautiful and poetic.

This week only (July 13-20), they are offering this little gem at a special price with free shipping as part of their Christmas in July sale. This would make a fabulous gift! You can read more about the sale and order your copy here.

I recently set a goal of reading one money saving/budget related book per week. This week I chose The Complete Cheapskate by Mary Hunt (received courtesy of paperback swap ).

This is the first book I have ever read by her. It seems like the only name I hear when it comes to debt and budgeting is Dave Ramsey (that’s not a bad thing though!)

The title of this book made me think it was going to be like the Tightwad Gazette or something, which is was not anything like that. The first few chapters were heavy on eliminating credit card debt, of which we have none so I almost stopped reading. But I am so glad that I didn’t. Once she got into the meat of the book, I really, really liked it. As a matter of fact, it was one of the most straightforward and educational books I have ever read on how to budget.

And I love the fact that she deals with the issue of having very little money. Many budgeting books tell you how to deal with money assuming you have lots of it that just needs to be redirected. This book deals with the issue of once you make a budget you may realize that you are running short on funds. Then she teaches you how to deal with that and gives you a long term plan to live below your means and eventually prosper.

She also talks a lot of self control in handling money, and is very candid about her struggles in the past with this. I loved her openness, and when I was done reading I was feeling very encouraged about budgeting wisely, better handling of our money, and feeling like her plan could really work for us. I look forward to reading more of her books!

I would say that before you begin Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover, read this book. Then combine the two methods (which are similar in a lot of ways) and you will definitely be on the fast track to better money management and a debt free lifestyle!

Do you have any must read books on budgeting and frugality to recommend I add to my reading pile? I’d love to hear it!

This post is linked to Finding Freedom Friday and Frugal Friday

There is nothing like a good book!

I LOVE to read, and have read a lot of books in my time Every now and then, a book stands out as a keeper, one that I would (or have) read again and will always keep in my home library. Here are some of my favorites, so far:

1. Keeping Our Children s Hearts
2. The Three Battlegrounds
3. Do Hard Things
4. The Mother At Home
5. Ministry of Motherhood
6. Financial Peace
7. So Much More
8. Miserly Moms
9. Get More Done In Less Time
10. The Busy Mom’s Guide To Simple Living
11. Created To Be His Help Meet
12. Hints On Child Training
13. The Power Of Less

I think I need to make a top 100 list, because there are plenty more!

Have you read any of these books? Got any to recommend! My Amazon Wish List overfloweth, but I can always add more!

This post is linked to Things I Love Thursday and Thursday Thirteen!

I recently had the privilege to review a copy of this new ebook by Marcia Wilwerding of Ehomebody.com . Just the title grabbed my attention, and I knew I wanted to read more!

I love how Marcia candidly shares her adventures of living debt free throughout the book, from her time of “tribulation” in a rough neighborhood to some of the stories of the vehicles they have acquired over the years. In this ebook, Marcia goes over various areas of spending in your budget and gives great tips as to how to cut back and save.

This ebook is great for someone who is just getting their feet wet in frugality. While we had already implemented many of these strategies, I still thoroughly enjoyed her friendly writing style. Just the encouragement that it can be done, (but it won’t be easy) was very refreshing!

Marcia says this regarding Living Debt Free On One Income:

What’s stopping you from living a life free of the bondage of debt? Are you considering going into debt for the first time “because of the economy?” Do you desire for Mom to be home with the little ones or be able to home educate your children? It is possible. Let me show you how to do it without sacrificing your joy.

In addition to the topic of being debt free, Marcia has also included a Forms for Frugal Living section which has a menu planner, recipe cost calculator, menu cost calculator and price book form. There are also two bonus reports: 10 Ways to Save at the Pump and Seven Simple Steps for Saving at the Supermarket.

If you are looking to venture into a more frugal lifestyle, grab a copy of Living Debt Free On One Income. It can be done, and Marcia does a great job showing you how!

As you can see, I kinda sorta broke my goal of limiting myself to  reading only 3 books a month.

There are just so many good books! And I have been keeping up with my Bible reading and prayer time! It just seemed to all work out this month, although I will continue to evaluate my time in this area.

So, here is what I read this month (with a couple still in progress) and a few brief reviews. A couple of books I plan on doing lengthier reviews very soon, because they were so good!

Do Hard Things Alex & Brett Harris

This book is written for teens, by teens, and I have heard lots of great things about it. Before handing it over to my daughter to read, I wanted to check it out myself. I thought I would be just making sure that it had appropriate themes and lined up with our values. What I didn’t expect was to be challenged myself to do hard things in my own life. This is another book worthy of its own blog post, which I plan to do in the near future. I am also looking forward to seeing what it does to my teens life when she is finished reading it! Awesome book, everyone young and old should read it!

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The Power of Less by Leo Babauta

Another book worthy of its own post. It is that good. If you are anything like me, with a to list and goals a mile long, you will love this book. I am trying to apply much of it to my life, with some resistance considering my over achieving personality, and what I have managed to apply has made a HUGE difference in my life.  This book is fantastic, fabulous, and wonderful. Stay tuned for a more thorough review!

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Multiple Blessings by Kate and Jon Gosselin

I like to watch Jon and Kate occasionally, so when this book showed up at the library I picked it up. I am not quite done with it yet,  but I will say it isn’t the most well written piece of literature I have read. That’s ok though, because those children are adorable! I have often found myself being judgemental of Kate and her disposition, but this book helped me to see just how hard having 8 children all at once can be.  The first few months of the babies lives changed this family dramatically, and reading their story of trying to find their new “normal” has been touching.  Kate seems to be very proud of her control freak, perfectionist personality, and instead of being humble and seeking to overcome this, she consistently brags on it. I found that annoying, quite honestly.  Other than that, it gives a different view into their lives than you see on the show and you get to see inside Kate’s heart: a mother, a Christian, who is just trying to do her best just like the rest of us mothers. It definitely made me understand her more, and perhaps be more compassionate with her. And like I said, those children are adorable!

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Lord, Is It Warfare? by Kay Arthur

I have been on a personal endeavor to learn more about spiritual warfare, so when I saw this book on a friends bookshelf, I asked to borrow it. It is a devotional/Bible study type book and is a good book on the topic. The only thing I have found is that is more geared to newer Christians, those who may not understand the spiritual conflicts, who the enemy is, and why we come under spiritual attack.  I am finding myself a little bored with it, but am determied to glean and finish with it. I haven’t had a lot of insight with the book itself, but have enjoyed digging through the Bible verses and have learned a lot  just by using that as a springboard for prayer.  I would recommend this for anyone new to the faith who doesn’t understand the whole subject of spiritual warfare.

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Frugal Families: Making the Most of Your Hard Earned Money Jonni McCoy

Since we are working on a bare bones budget, and I loved Miserly Moms, I picked up this book hoping that it would help me do just what it says: make the most of our hard earned money! If you are new to frugality, this book is great but I really didn’t find any new information in it, and much of it was outdated. That being said, I checked out Miserly Moms from the library again, which I have read a few times already. That is a great book on frugality!

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Tips For The Lazy Gardener by Linda Tilgner

I really liked this book, and put it on my Paperback Swap wish list (I borrowed this one) to have around. Lots of simple great gardening tips, whether you are a lazy gardener or not!

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Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey

What can I say!? This book is life changing, and anyone who has applied his financial principles to their lives will tell you the same. I have been a long time fan of Dave Ramsey, read the Total Money Makeover, and am actively working to win my husband over to him too! I love his financial principles, his style, humility and no nonsense approach to finances. If you have never read this book, you should!

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Sidetracked Home Executives by Pam Young and Peggy Jones

Don’t hate me, but I didn’t find much of this book helpful.  I have worked hard to establish order, organization and routines to my home, so I just couldn’t relate much to these women . However, if you are not naturally organized, are living in chaos, or are in need of an effective organizational system for your home, you will love this book. It has a lot of good principles, and if I didn’t already have a good routine in place I would consider their system!

So that is my reading pile for April. Here is my pile for May:

This post is linked to:
5 Minutes for Books and Talk About Tuesday

I can’t believe another month has gone in this year already! It is time for another monthly book review of what I have read this month.

Rachel’s Tears: 10th Anniversary Edition

One day Rachel traced her hands on the back of her dresser and wrote the following words: “These hands belong to Rachel Joy Scott and will someday touch millions of peoples hearts”. I am sure that she didn’t have in mind what the future held for her, but she indeed has gone on to touch many peoples hearts  in her short life, and through her tragic death.

This book was sent to me for review this month and I have been very blessed by reading it. It is a short read about a young girl named Rachel Joy Scott who lost her life in the Columbine tragedy. The story is told by her parents, Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott.

I cannot imagine the pain her parents feel after the horrific loss of this beautiful, bright and vibrant girl. After her death, her parents discovered a treasure left behind for them: Rachel’s journals. This books shares portions from her journals, sharing with us a young girl who had an intimate relationship with the Lord.

Not only are her journals a touching memoir of her walk with the Lord, her legacy left behind that friends and family share in the months after her death portray a very special girl with a very big heart.  Her passion to shine the light of the Lord to this sin darkened world was evident in not only her journals, but in testimony after testimony from those that she reached out to. This was a girl, as young as she was, walked the walk and lived her life for one purpose, and that was to glorify God. A good read, especially for a young teen.

A Mom Just Like You

A friend loaned me this book after I shared with her that I was feeling a little burnt out with home schooling this year. I loved this book. It is written by the wife of HSLDA, Vickie Farris with her daugther Jayme. This is a great encouragement to home schoolers, especially larger families that are schooling multiple grade levels. I found Mrs. Farris to be very open and humble, sharing her own personal struggles, victories, testimonies and convictions. I finished the book feeling energized and refreshed!

 Christlikeness

I have really enjoyed and have been challenged by the writings of Francis Frangipane. This book is one of a four part series in a training series called In Christs Image. This book really touches on what it means to be Christlike, how to let down strongholds and barriers to allow ourselves to be transformed into His image, and touches on the upcoming spiritual revival that will awaken our hearts to prepare for the coming of our Saviour. The writings in here on woundedness, humility and offenses have been priceless and have really caused me to see areas in my life that are weak. I look forward to reading his other books! 

Here is my reading list for next month (click on book title for more info):

 The Power of Less
Wasted on Jesus : Reaching for the Lover of Your Soul
Love Life for Every Married Couple

Humility

I love to read, and am always looking for new books to add to my pile Do you have any good books that you could recommend as must reads?